2.5 Data Analysis
The researchers reviewed verbatim transcripts and identified broad
themes drawing on the interview guide topics to serve as top-level
codes. Examples of top-level codes included factors influencing
provider’s rationale for current treatments as well as those factors
influencing treatments that were avoided. Using inductive and deductive
analysis with constant comparison methods that Parker and colleagues
developed for similar qualitative studies, 3 members of the interview
team (EB, NB, AJ) each coded one-third of the transcripts and reviewed
100% of each other’s work.16 We created sub-codes by
reviewing the quotes associated with each top-level code. Each
interviewer took one-third of the quotes and applied the sub-codes. A
secondary coder reviewed 25% of the sub-codes and discrepancies were
discussed and resolved. We used Atlas.ti V6.2 qualitative data
management software to assist with coding and analysis.
Results from the closed-ended questions were included for descriptive
purposes only.
RESULTS
Demographic information for the participants is presented in Table 2.
Several key themes emerged regarding factors that contributed to either
new prescriptions of benzodiazepines or maintenance of existing
prescriptions in veterans with PTSD. We categorized prominent barriers
and facilitators as organizational, provider, and patient factors (See
Table 3). Beliefs around these factors were similar between PC and MH
providers. Where they are not, we describe these differences. Identified
facilitators contributed to both decreased incidence and prevalence of
benzodiazepine prescriptions, suggesting that such factors could help
de-implement the use of benzodiazepines by reducing new prescriptions as
well as renewal prescriptions.