Thematic structure mapped on to appraisal and help-seeking intervals of the model of pathways to treatment18
| Interpretation of symptoms (appraisal interval) | Response to symptoms (help-seeking interval) |
|---|---|
| Patient factors Normalising | Patient factors Self-management Adopting a lay system of care Competing demands |
| Disease factors Existing illnesses/predisposed Cancer as a possible cause | Disease factors Perceived seriousness Persistence Previous symptom experience |
| Healthcare provider and system factors Worry about wasting the general practitioners' time Difficulty in getting an appointment Gender of the general practitioner |