Table 2

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