July 2024
Discussion about ‘low-carb’ diets between general practitioners, patients and peers: A qualitative study
Daniel Mogg,1 Katrina Anderson,1 Katelyn Barnes,1,2 Merson Mathew3
1Academic Unit of General Practice, School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
2ACT Health Directorate, Canberra, ACT
3Weston Creek Medical Practice, Canberra, ACT
Background and objectives
Albeit controversial, low-carbohydrate diets are being discussed between general practitioners (GPs) and patients. This study explored GPs’ experiences recommending a ‘low-carb’ diet to patients and the factors that influenced their decisions to recommend the diet.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with 13 GPs (38% female) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions were conducted. GPs were recruited via a combination of convenience and snowball sampling techniques.
Results
Most GPs defined ‘low-carb’ diets in broad terms and targeted it to specific patients, such as those with diabetes. Facilitators to offering this advice included its simplicity and adaptability. Most GPs continued offering this advice due to positive observable outcomes in their patients.
Discussion
Positive patient outcomes counterbalanced any concerns regarding sparse or conflicting evidence for the ‘low-carb’ diet. This suggests GPs are integrating patient values and beliefs with their clinical expertise alongside clinical guidelines (or the absence thereof) when it comes to dietary advice for patients.