Paper title: Peripheral arterial disease diagnosis and management in primary care: a qualitative study Aim(s): To identify the issues for primary care health professionals (HPs) and patients in PAD diagnosis and management, and to explore the impact of these on HPs and PAD patients.

DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen19X101659
Section Points to Ponder Review comments and notes Abstract, title and references ● Is the aim clear? yes ● Is it clear that the study found and how they did it? yes ● Is the title informative and relevant? yes ● Are the references: ● Relevant? yes ● Recent? yes ● Referenced correctly? yes ● Are appropriate key studies included? Yes All the references are relevant and recent with appropriate key studies included and are correctly referenced

Comments on abstract, title, references

The abstract is well structured and compiles all the major component and gives an insight into the article Title: appropriate and follows the PICO format. all the components are covered in it References are apt for the study and relevant to the topic. recent articles have been quoted and reference formatting is properly followed.

Introduction/background ● Is it clear what is already known about this topic? yes ● Is the research question clearly outlined? yes ● Is the research question justified given what is already known about the topic? Yes ## Comments on introduction/background The introduction is crisp and precise. Written according to the format as usually suggested and highlighted the major need for the study. The introduction covers all the major links to the article. Even though the introduction looks shorter still it covers all the major component which makes it readable for the individuals

Methods ● Is the process of subject selection clear? yes ● Are the variables defined and measured appropriately? yes ● Are the study methods valid and reliable? yes ● Is there enough detail in order to replicate the study? Yes

Comments on methodology

The methodology gives all the major details of the article and describes clearly how the study was conducted and explains it in detail sample size does not provide sufficient knowledge on larger population

Results ● Is the data presented in an appropriate way? yes ● Tables and figures relevant and clearly presented? yes ● Appropriate units, rounding, and a number of decimals? NA ● Titles, columns, and rows labelled correctly and clearly? yes ● Categories grouped appropriately? NA ● Does the text in the results add to the data or is it repetitive? adds to the text ● Are you clear about what is a statistically significant result? NA ● Are you clear about what is a practically meaningful result? yes

Comments on data and results

Results are highlighting all the major component of the study. Detailed and thorough data was analysed and is reported in a well-arranged manner. The result with the subheading makes the concept and the result more clear and is easy to interpret

Discussion and Conclusion ● Are the results discussed from multiple angles and placed into context without being overinterpreted? yes ● Do the conclusions answer the aims of the study? yes ● Are the conclusions supported by references or results? yes ● Are the limitations of the study fatal or are they opportunities to inform future research?

Overall ● Was the study design appropriate to answer the aim? yes ● What did this study add to what was already known on this topic? It showed the dearth of literature for knowledge of the condition for both the patient and the health professionals in a primary set up ● What were the major flaws of this article? As such major flaws were not there all the things were to the point ● Is the article consistent within itself? Yes

Comments on discussion and conclusions

The discussion highlights all the major points of the article. there is no repetition of the result in the discussion All the relevant comparing article has been added to make the arguments stronger All the strength and limitations have been highlighted properly and are precise separate heading for comparison with existing literature and implication to research adds on to the article

Structure your comments into a full review:

Overall statement or summary of the article and its findings in your own words

The article highlighted the need for the education and attitude among health professionals and the patients in regards to peripheral arterial disease. Both the perspectives were taken into details by highlighting various other aspects.

Overall strengths of the article and what impact it might have in your field

Strength focusses on the need for the importance of follow up and asking the relevant question regarding the condition and also ask a specific question to diagnose the condition in an early stage so as to prevent gangrene and amputation It has a good impact in the field as it highlights the importance of the condition as the majority of the time it is usually neglected both by the health professional and the patients

Specific comments on the weaknesses of the article and what could be done to improve it Major points in the article which needs clarification, refinement, reanalysis, rewrites and/or additional information and suggestions for what could be done to improve the article.

1. An overall analysis of the questions asked can be highlighted in a single statement in the form of summary

Minor points like figures/tables not being mentioned in the text, a missing reference, typos, and other inconsistencies.

1. sample size is small to represent a larger population