How is gout currently managed, and is there interest in changing the way we deliver care? A qualitative exploratory study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to understand how gout is currently managed in Australian primary care and to assess the level of interest in changing the delivery of care for gout.

METHOD: This pragmatic qualitative study was conducted among Australian general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists and adults living with gout. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The key theme identified was that chronic gout has low priority compared to managing other conditions, and management is often responsive to patient action. Lack of confidence was expressed about medication regimens for multimorbidities. Regarding changing care delivery, there was widespread interest in enhancing pharmacists' role in providing medication reviews and guidance, but there were conflicting views between some pharmacists and GPs about clinical decisions and prescribing arrangements.

DISCUSSION: Interpreting findings based on Wagner's chronic care model, it is apparent that there are multiple potential opportunities to change practice that might improve gout management.