NHSNet fails to sign-up GPs

GPs are struggling to meet the objectives set out in the government's 'Information for Health' strategy, according to the latest report from Research Quorum (RQ).

Despite the government's target of having all GPs connected to the NHSNet by 2001, RQ's survey of practicing GPs in the UK revealed only 31 per cent have connected so far; while half of that 31 per cent had not used the system in the last month.

Charlotte Tatton-Brown, research director at RQ, said: "Many of the GPs commented that some of the reasons for not utilising technology were poor support and the lack of time they felt they had available to train themselves to use technology.

"Habit and familiarity were quoted as very big hurdles for GPs to overcome, as they felt comfortable with continuing to use paper-based documents. Also, some GPs felt it was possibly due to the fact that it was still a legal requirement for GPs to maintain paper documents that progress was being hindered in terms of encouraging GPs to better utilise technology."

The research was sponsored by healthcare technology specialist MediDesk which is planning to launch its own Web portal this year containing news, clinical guidelines and information for healthcare professionals.

See also:
'Medical community calls for coherent networking in NHS' (http://www.silicon.com/a32812 )
'Training planned for healthcare professionals' (http://www.silicon.com/a34729 )