This article is more than 1 year old

Docs need to do remote consultations – report

Let's hope we all get better broadband connections soon

Doctors need to invest in telehealth tech to take the strain off services by conducting remote consultations, according to a study by health charity the Nuffield Trust.

The report (PDF), which was commissioned by NHS England, said GP services would have to address increasing patient numbers due to an ageing demographic.

The Department of Health estimates that, by 2018, there will be 2.9 million people with multiple long-term conditions, up from 1.8 million in 2012, and their health and care will require £5bn additional expenditure.

"Patient care could be improved via remote consultations, mobile working, sign-posting to other services and alternatives to GPs within the primary care team," it said.

The body also said the NHS needs to prioritise shared electronic health records, supported by interoperability and information governance and portals to facilitate booking appointments online and access to records, information and advice.

"There is potential for primary care to make much greater use of existing technology. There is also scope for further technology innovation," it added.

However, it said there is a long way to go before digital technology can improve the working lives of professionals and have an impact on patient outcomes.

"Much of the hard work needs to be addressed at a local or organisational level – such as overcoming resistance to new technology or lack of clinician engagement. ®

More about

More about

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like