Caring remotely through 'fitting': Video consultation use in Danish general practice.

In this study, we examine how Danish general practitioners (GPs) and general practice staff have fitted their use of video consultation to align with their conceptualisations of good care. Political stakeholders are repeatedly encouraging the use of video consultation in the healthcare sector, discursively referring to optimised use of healthcare resources, increased efficiency and flexibility for and geographical equality among patients. By the end of 2024, it will be mandatory for GPs to offer video consultations to patients in Danish general practice.

Patients' suggestions for improvements to text-based e-consultations. An online survey of users of the national health portal in Norway.

Background: In recent years, text-based e-consultations have been widely implemented in general practice and are appreciated by patients for their convenience and efficiency. Policymakers aim to enhance patient access to clinical services with the general practitioner (GP) through text-based e-consultations. However, concerns are raised about their efficiency and security.

General practice community pharmacist consultation service: an exploratory patient survey.

Background: The General Practice Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (GP CPCS) was established to allow patients with certain minor illnesses to be referred to a community pharmacy for assessment and treatment.

Aim: To explore patients' experiences of the GP CPCS.

Design & Setting: An online survey in two regions of England.

Supporting Patients' Use of Digital Services in Primary Health Care in England: Synthesis of Evidence From a Mixed Methods Study of "Digital Facilitation".

Background: General medical practitioners and other staff at primary care medical practices have an important role in facilitating patient access to online services in the National Health Service in England. These services range from online ordering of repeat prescriptions to conducting online consultations with health care professionals. We have defined "digital facilitation" as that range of processes, procedures, and personnel that seeks to support patients in their uptake and use of online services.

Supporting patients to use online services in general practice: focused ethnographic case study.

Background In England online services in general practice encompass a range of provision from ordering repeat medication to having a consultation. Some groups of individuals may find accessing and/or using such services difficult and may require 'digital facilitation', that is the range of processes, procedures, and personnel which seeks to support NHS patients in their uptake and use of online services. Aim To gain insight, from the perspective of general practice staff and patients/carers, into how and why digital facilitation might lead to benefits, and the key processes involved in supporting patients to use online services.

Videoconferencing support groups for people affected by dementia: a systematic narrative review.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of videoconferencing peer support groups on individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

Method: A narrative synthesis of articles identified via searches of five databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science). The search was carried out in January 2024.

Implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice: a systematic review and narrative synthesis protocol.

Introduction: There is growing recognition of the importance of primary care in addressing climate change. The World Organisation of Family Doctors has urged general practitioners worldwide to commit to tackling climate change and to serve as agents of systemic and individual change. Though an increasing number of resources have become available to support the decarbonisation of primary care, there remains a lack of evidence about how primary care teams are using them, their reach across practices, their level of adoption and maintenance, their cost impact and their effect on carbon emissions.

Patient experiences of remote consulting with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study.

Background: Remote and digital consulting in primary care has rapidly expanded since March 2020. It is important to understand patient experiences, particularly for those living with complex long-term conditions, to identify how care can best be delivered, including within the remote space.

Aim: To explore the experiences of people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis [CFS/ME] and Fibromyalgia when consulting remotely in primary care.

Exploring How Patients Are Supported to Use Online Services in Primary Care in England Through "Digital Facilitation": Survey Study.

Background: Health service policy in many jurisdictions is driving greater investment into digital primary care services. While some patients and practices may benefit, there are concerns that not all are able or wish to access primary care services online. "Digital facilitation" is the "range of processes, procedures, and personnel seeking to support patients in their uptake and use of online services" and may address such concerns.

Exploring the experiences and preferences of South Asian patients' of primary care in England since COVID-19.

Introduction: Remote (digital and/or telephone) access and consultation models are being driven by national policy with the goal being that the National Health Service operate on a remote-first (digital-first) basis by 2029. Previous research has suggested that remote methods of access to care and consulting may act to widen health inequalities for certain patients and/or groups such as those from ethnic minorities. South Asian (SA) patients comprise the largest ethnic minority group in England.

Investigating Patient Use and Experience of Online Appointment Booking in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Online appointment booking is a commonly used tool in several industries. There is limited evidence about the benefits and challenges of using online appointment booking in health care settings. Potential benefits include convenience and the ability to track appointments, although some groups of patients may find it harder to engage with online appointment booking.

Supporting patients with a mental health diagnosis to use online services in primary care. A qualitative interview study.

Objective: The increase in reliance on online services for general practice has the potential to increase inequalities within some populations. Patients with a mental health condition are one such group. Digital facilitation is defined as a range of processes, procedures, and people, which seek to support NHS patients in using online services.

Talking in primary care (TIP): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary care to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients' musculoskeletal pain and enablement.

Introduction: Effective communication can help optimise healthcare interactions and patient outcomes. However, few interventions have been tested clinically, subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis or are sufficiently brief and well-described for implementation in primary care. This paper presents the protocol for determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a rigorously developed brief eLearning tool, EMPathicO, among patients with and without musculoskeletal pain.

Experiences of remote consultation in UK primary care for patients with mental health conditions: A systematic review.

Objectives: There has been a rapid shift from face-to-face to remote consultation across healthcare settings. 90% of patients with mental health conditions are cared for entirely in primary care. Remote consultation can present challenges and benefits for patients with mental health conditions.

Guidelines and recommendations about virtual mental health services from high-income countries: a rapid review.

Objectives: This study reviewed existing recommendations for virtual mental healthcare services through the quadruple aim framework to create a set of recommendations on virtual healthcare delivery to guide the development of Canadian policies on virtual mental health services.

Design: We conducted a systematic rapid review with qualitative content analysis of data from included manuscripts. The quadruple aim framework, consisting of improving patient experience and provider satisfaction, reducing costs and enhancing population health, was used to analyse and organise findings.

Access systems in general practice: a systematic scoping review.

Background: Access to GP appointments is increasingly challenging in many high-income countries, with an overstretched workforce and rising demand. Various access systems have been developed and evaluated internationally.

Aim: To systematically consolidate the current international evidence base related to different types of GP access systems.

Interpreting technology: Use and non-use of doctor-patient video consultations in Danish general practice.

This study uses socio-cognitive theory on technological frames to understand how and why general practitioners in Denmark use or choose not to use video consultations. Video consultations play a vital role in the digitalisation of the Danish healthcare system. Whilst political decision-makers continuously push for increased use of video consultations, uptake accounts for less than 2% of all consultations.

Clinician-led secondary triage in England's urgent care delivery: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Clinician-led secondary triage, following primary triage by the NHS 111 phone line, is central to England's urgent care system. However, little is known about how secondary triage influences the urgency attributed to patients' needs.

Aim: To describe patterns of secondary triage outcomes and call-related factors (such as call length and time of call) associated with upgrading/downgrading of primary triage outcomes.

General practice experiences for parents of children with intellectual disability: a systematic review.

Background: Parents of children diagnosed with intellectual disability are at increased risk of mental and physical health difficulties compared with other parents. They are likely to regularly seek medical treatment for their health concerns from general practice as well as on behalf of their child with intellectual disability, yet there is limited evaluation of the role general practice plays for this patient group.

Aim: To explore parents' experiences of general practice support when caring for a child with intellectual disability.