Computer Weekly/Times Survey shows Doctors in the Dark

Most doctors are still in the dark about the government's £2.3Bn plan to overhaul NHS IT, according to a survey jointly commissioned by Computer Weekly and The Times.

A survey of 1,000 doctors revealed that more than four-fifths have yet to be consulted about the initiative. The survey, by medical research specialist Medix UK, revealed that 81% of doctors possessed little information about the national programme. Over one-third admitted that the survey was the first that they had ever heard of the programme, and only 1% felt they were in possession of fully adequate information about the scheme.

the survey comes as NHS leaders acknowledge that winning the support of the medical profession will be key to the long-term success of the national programme.

Importantly, the research indicates that many doctors having a potentially positive attitude to the national programme. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents rated the scheme as either an "important" or a "very important" priority for the NHS. About two-thirds foresee an improvement in clinical care as a result of the programme.


However, says Computer Weekly, despite the obvious potential in getting the medical profession on-board, a significant question mark remains over the problem of doctor buy-in. Lack of user involvement was a factor in the failure of other NHS IT projects, such as the Wessex Regional Health Authority IT project.

The magazine warns that the risks are clear and quotes Bedfordshire GP Mary Hawking: 'Hawking pointed to the cultural differences between doctors and local service providers, the consortia of private sector suppliers that will deliver the project. She said, "The national programme and the local service providers are approaching the plan from an industry viewpoint, but GPs are approaching it with the experience of the systems that have already been built to meet their needs. They are coming at it from opposite ends."'

This is the second piece of research that Medix has completed on behalf of Computer Weekly and follows a similar survey undertaken in January. Carried out between 20 and 24 June, the most recent internet-based study was offered to 1,115 doctors in England registered with the General Medical Council. With 1,001 doctors responding, the acceptance rate was extremely high. Just under half of the respondents were GPs, the rest covering a wide range of health specialties, ranging from paediatrics and oncology to geriatric medicine.

Associated Link: Computer Weekly: Over 80% of doctors not consulted over NHS IT

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