The European journal of general practice
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There has been much research into factors that can be modified to improve the response rates of general practitioners to surveys and to the demographic characteristics of those who do and do not respond. However, response is yet to be considered with respect to the quality of clinical care provided by GPs. In the UK, one measure of quality of care is the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) score achieved by a general practice. ⋯ There is no evidence of an association between QOF score and the response of GPs to postal surveys. This gives reassurance that samples for studies of GP attitudes and practices should not suffer from response bias in relation to this core characteristic that represents the clinical achievement of their practice.
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A delay in diagnosing aneurismal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) occurs in a substantial proportion of patients who present with headache as the only symptom. ⋯ In patients with SAH who presented with isolated headache to the GP, GP's unawareness of the acute onset of the headache, a history of headaches and late presentation by the patient increased the probability of delayed referral.