biostudies-literatureUnknown19(3)Astaire E<h4>Objective</h4>Depression is an increasingly common mental health disorder in the UK, managed predominantly in the community by GPs. Emerging evidence suggests lifestyle medicine is a key component in the management of depression. We aimed to explore GPs' experiences, attitudes, and challenges to providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression.<h4>Method</h4>Focus groups were conducted virtually with UK GPs (May-July 2022). A topic guide facilitated the discussion and included questions on experiences, current practices, competence, challenges, and service provision. Data were analysed using template analysis.<h4>Results</h4>'Supporting Effective Conversations'; 'Willing, but Blocked from Establishing Relational Care'; 'Working Towards Patient Empowerment'; and 'Control Over the Prognosis' were all elements of how individualised lifestyle advice was key to the management of depression. Establishing a doctor-patient relationship by building trust and rapport was fundamental to having effective conversations about lifestyle behaviours. Empowering patients to make positive lifestyle changes required tailoring advice using a patient-centred approach. Confidence varied across participants, depending on education, experience, type of patient, and severity of depression.<h4>Conclusions</h4>GPs play an important role in managing depression using lifestyle medicine and a patient-centred approach. Organisational and educational changes are necessary to facilitate GPs in providing optimal care to patients with depression.PloS onee0299934https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10927082biostudies-literatureGeneral practitioners' experiences of providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression: A qualitative focus group study.PMC10927082Flynn ACKhundakar MJennings LSilverio SAAstaire EfalseGeneral practitioners' experiences of providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression: A qualitative focus group study.<h4>Objective</h4>Depression is an increasingly common mental health disorder in the UK, managed predominantly in the community by GPs. Emerging evidence suggests lifestyle medicine is a key component in the management of depression. We aimed to explore GPs' experiences, attitudes, and challenges to providing lifestyle advice to patients with depression.<h4>Method</h4>Focus groups were conducted virtually with UK GPs (May-July 2022). A topic guide facilitated the discussion and included questions on experiences, current practices, competence, challenges, and service provision. Data were analysed using template analysis.<h4>Results</h4>'Supporting Effective Conversations'; 'Willing, but Blocked from Establishing Relational Care'; 'Working Towards Patient Empowerment'; and 'Control Over the Prognosis' were all elements of how individualised lifestyle advice was key to the management of depression. Establishing a doctor-patient relationship by building trust and rapport was fundamental to having effective conversations about lifestyle behaviours. Empowering patients to make positive lifestyle changes required tailoring advice using a patient-centred approach. Confidence varied across participants, depending on education, experience, type of patient, and severity of depression.<h4>Conclusions</h4>GPs play an important role in managing depression using lifestyle medicine and a patient-centred approach. Organisational and educational changes are necessary to facilitate GPs in providing optimal care to patients with depression.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-06-27T03:15:53.07Z2025-04-06T01:42:15.597ZS-EPMC109270823846670510.1371/journal.pone.0299934