More than half of GPs in England would be unlikely to
upload clinical data onto a national clinical record unless the
patient specifically consented to it, according to the latest Medix
survey of GPs.
The finding casts further doubt on plans under the NHS National
Programme for IT (NPfIT) to upload clinical data onto a national
system unless a patient specifically opts out.
Some 51% of GPs would not, or would be unlikely to, upload data
unless patients specifically consented to them doing so. Forty
seven per cent of other doctors surveyed said they would not be
prepared to update patient records without specific consent.
The survey found that most doctors recognise the benefits of the
NPfIT. For example, 58% of GPs and 69% of other doctors believe it
will improve clinical care in the longer term. But overall support
for the project is falling.
Nearly four years ago, 67% of GPs said the NPfIT was an
important priority for the NHS now only 35% think so. Although 25%
of GPs and 41% of other doctors are still enthusiastic about the
programme, the figure is well down on figures of 56% and 75%
respectively recorded nearly three years ago.
Four out of five GPs now have some experience of Choose and
Book, the NPfIT's appointment booking system, and the percentage
who support its introduction has risen from 17% at the start of
2006 to 26% today.
However, of those using the system, more than 90% said it
increased the time spent dealing with referrals, and more than 70%
said it made no difference, or was detrimental to patient
outcomes.
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