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Table 3 Characteristics responding GPs and their practice setting (N = 456)

From: Agreement of general practitioners with the guideline-based stepped-care strategy for patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a cross-sectional study

Characteristics of the GP

  

Age (years); mean (SD)

49 (9)

Sex (male); N (%)

278 (61)

Length of time working (years); median (IQR)

16 (9–25)

Working hours (fte); N (%)

  

 - <0,6

63 (14)

 - 0,6-0,8

125 (28)

 - >0,8

263 (58)

GPwSI in musculoskeletal disorders; N (%)

69 (15)

Characteristics of the practice setting

  

Type of practice; N (%)

  

 - Solo

92 (20)

 - Duo

127 (28)

 - Practice group

64 (14)

 - GP centre

118 (26)

 - Health centre

49 (11)

Location practice

  

 - Urban

189 (41)

 - Suburban

92 (20)

 - Rural

175 (38)

Practice size (registered patients); median (IQR)

4175 (2700–7000)

Number of GPs working (fte); median (IQR)

2.0 (1.2–3.6)

Presence of practice staff; N (%)

  

 - Practice nurse

403 (88)

 - Practice assistant

440 (96)

Presence of other disciplines in same setting; N (%)

  

 - Physical therapist

182 (40)

 - Dietician

195 (43)

 - Psychologist

169 (37)

 - Other (e.g. pharmacist, social worker, dentist)

148 (32)

Organization of OA management

 

Involvement of other disciplines in OA management; N (%)

 

 - Practice nurse

78 (17)

 - Practice assistant

82 (18)

Structural collaboration; N (%)

 

 - Periodic meetings

98 (22)

 - Following protocols and agreements on working procedures

55 (12)

Frequency of contact with other disciplines in OA management; N (%)

 

 - (Almost) never

100 (22)

 - Yearly

119 (27)

 - Monthly

188 (42)

 - Weekly

39 (9)

  1. Abbreviations: GPs = General practitioners; SD = standard deviation; N = number of GPs; IQR = interquartile range; fte = fulltime equivalents; GPwSI = GP with a special interest; OA = Osteoarthritis.