Table 1 Topic guide

• Interviewer introduction—GF introduced himself and the study. He introduced himself as a researcher interested in pragmatic trials, describing the research as a study into how best to design primary care trials so that they are relevant to practice. PRECIS-2 is mentioned in passing but not the details of how the tool works. Where the academic GP was present they were introduced as a GP with research interests similar to GF

• Participant(s) introduction

• How participants use evidence from randomised trials

• What aspects of trials do participants think are important when deciding whether research is relevant to practice

• PRECIS-2 is introduced by the interviewer with the participant shown an example PRECIS-2 wheel. The concepts of pragmatic and explanatory trials are also explained

• How important is it that research is similar to routine practice for each of the PRECIS domains for the results of the trial to be relevant to practice?

• Closing. Interviewee(s) is asked if there is anything else they would like to say or comment on and given the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the study