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Objective: To describe the main qualitative research techniques through systematic review of Spanish studies published during the previous 5 years., Design: Systematic review., Data Sources: The Indice Médico Español (bibliographic database of items published in Spanish health sciences journals) was searched, and systematic searches of the journals Atención Primaria, Gaceta Sanitaria, and Revista de Calidad Asistencial were done. Study selection. We included studies carried out with any type of qualitative research technique. Also included were studies that reviewed qualitative research techniques. We excluded studies that used a qualitative technique but were based mainly on quantitative research techniques. The review was done during the period from April 1997 to April 2002., Results: Most of the studies we reviewed used only one technique (80.5%). When more than one technique was used in combination (19.5% of the articles we reviewed), focus groups and interviews were usually used. The techniques identified were focus group (used in 34% of the articles reviewed), interview (24%), the Delphi technique (10%), content analysis (8%), nominal group (8%), metaplan (2%), and Philips 6/6 (2%)., Conclusions: Qualitative research is a valid alternative, and if used with appropriate methodological rigor it can be of considerable use to health care professionals.

Objective: To elaborate and validate a questionnaire for identifying common styles of Primary Care doctors' practice., Setting: Primary Health Care. Public sector in Spain., Design: This was a study to validate a questionnaire administered in two phases with different samples. In the first phase, the items (item-total correlation, using Alpha on eliminating item), validity of construction, empirical validity and internal consistency, were analysed. In the second, discriminatory validity and reliability of the questionnaire (test-retest) were calculated., Measurements and Main Results: 81.5% of the doctors replied in the first phase; and 100% in the second. Two factors were isolated with the Principal Components procedure, which confirmed the validity of the questionnaire's construction (52% variance explained). Internal consistency (Alphas ranged between 0.55 and 0.75) and reliability (ranging between 0.50 and 0.95 in function of the time elapsed) were also demonstrated., Conclusions: This instrument could be used to differentiate two styles in practice, characterised by focusing on the physical illness vs the psycho-social aspects of the disease process. The instrument is also useful because it gives the feeling of control over the task.

Objective: To determine: 1) the level of job satisfaction and job stress among general practitioners of National Health Service, and 2) the most common sources of stress of their job., Design: Descriptive study based in a meal survey with bivariate and multivariate analysis of data., Setting: Primary Care Centers of the Valencian Health Service., Subjects: 216 general practitioners were questioned. Of these 127 answered on time (102 male; age 39.55 years; response rate of 58.80%)., Measurements and Main Results: The Font Roja-AP Questionnaire (to evaluate job satisfaction and stress) and the Tabarca Inventory (to determine sources of stress) were used. Social relationship at work, intrinsic job satisfaction, job distension and variety at work were in hierarchy order the principal reasons of job satisfaction. On the other hand, interruptions of family life, emergency calls, monotony and practice administration and the doctor-patient communication aspects were in hierarchy order the principal reasons of job stress., Conclusions: The general practitioners work yield job satisfaction. Moderate job stress has been observed among general practitioners. The most important sources of stress were interruptions of family life and other conditions which disturb intimacy.