Staying a smoker or becoming an ex-smoker after hospitalisation for unstable angina or myocardial infarction.

The aim of our study was to better understand processes of ongoing smoking or smoking cessation (quitting) following hospitalisation for myocardial infarction or unstable angina (acute cardiac syndromes). In-depth interviews were used to elicit participants' stories about ongoing smoking and quitting. In total, 18 interviews with smokers and 14 interviews with ex-smokers were analysed.

How cardiac patients describe the role of their doctors in smoking cessation: a qualitative study.

This article reports a qualitative study investigating patients' experiences of ongoing smoking or smoking cessation after hospitalisation for an acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction or unstable angina) and describes how study participants spoke about the role of their doctors in smoking cessation. We invited individuals who had been admitted to an Australian public hospital in 2005 with a discharge diagnosis of an acute cardiac syndrome and who were smokers at the time of their hospitalisation to participate. Participants underwent a semi-structured interview and ongoing smokers also completed a 'stages of change' questionnaire.

General practitioners' experiences and understandings of diagnosing dementia: factors impacting on early diagnosis.

This article reports findings from three linked qualitative research projects that explored how Australian general practitioners (GPs) spoke about their experiences in diagnosing dementia and their views on early diagnosis and barriers towards early diagnosis. The authors conducted this research with the aim of elucidating the GP perspective and using this to better understand the process of diagnosing dementia and delays in diagnosing dementia. Twenty-four GPs based in Australia participated in the study (eleven females and thirteen males).

Under-diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study in primary care.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is under-diagnosed and diagnosis often occurs late thereby reducing opportunities to prevent deterioration. Investigation of causes has focused on the use of spirometry but the role of attitudes of doctors and patients has not been directly investigated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with COPD and their general practitioners in two general practices in Tasmania who participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups.

Explaining chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): perceptions of the role played by smoking.

There are few studies that investigate how people personally affected by a chronic disease associated with cigarette smoking account for their illness. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition largely caused by cigarette smoking. In order to better understand how people diagnosed with COPD view the relationship between cigarette smoking and their illness we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 participants.