Characteristics of the GPs involved in the nominal groups
| Group 1 (Paris area) | Group 2 (Orléans area) | |
| Number of participants | 14 | 14 |
| Men | 7 | 11 |
| Women | 7 | 3 |
| Age, years | 29–53 | 28–64 |
| Median | 33.5 | 45 |
| Mean (SD) | ||
| Overall | 37 (7.9) | 45 (12,6) |
| Men | 37 (7.1) | 49 (11.0) |
| Women | 37 (8.6) | 30 (2.3) |
| Years of practice | ||
| Mean (SD) | 8.9 (8.6) | 15,7 (11.1) |
| Median | 5 | 16.5 |
| Practice characteristics | ||
| Group practice | 6 (42.8%) | 9 (64.3%) |
| Single practice | 0 | 1 (7.2%) |
| Private primary care clinic | 0 | 4 (28.6%) |
| Public primary care clinic | 3 (21.4%) | 0 |
| Locum | 5 (35.7%) | 0 |
| Urban | 14 (100%) | 8 (57.1%) |
| Urban/rural | 0 | 2 (14.2%) |
| Rural | 0 | 4 (28.7%) |
| Special interest (gynaecology, sport medicine, nutrition and so on) | 3 (21.4%) | 2 (14.3%) |
| Professional commitment and CME | ||
| CME | 12 (85.7%) | 12 (85.7%) |
| Medical journals | 14 (100%) | 14 (100%) |
| Academic involvement | 7 (50%) | 6 (42.8%) |
| Sees medical sales representatives | 6 (42.9%) | 5 (35.7%) |
| Participants suffering from a chronic disease | 1 (7.2%) | 0 |
| Usual blood pressure measurement device | ||
| Manual | 7 (50%) | 6 (42.8%) |
| Electronic | 4 (28.6%) | 7 (50%) |
| Any | 3 (21.4%) | 1 (7.2%) |
| Use of ambulatory blood pressure measurement | 13 (92.9%) | 14 (100%) |
| Possible loan of a device to the patient | 6 (42.9%) | 12 (85.7%) |
BP, blood pressure; CME, continuing medical education.