Dataset Information

NHSnet in Scottish primary care: lessons for the future.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the primary care communications initiative, which introduced NHSnet to primary care in Scotland. DESIGN:Semi-structured telephone interviews, postal questionnaire. SETTING:All 15 Scottish health boards, random sample of 1 in 3 of all Scottish general practices. PARTICIPANTS:Information management and technology managers of health boards, 355 practice managers in the general practices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Variations between health boards in styles of project management, means of connection to NHSnet, costs to general practices, and training provided. Practices' levels of participation in initiative, initial use of NHSnet, and factors acting as incentives and disincentives to use of NHSnet. RESULTS:99% of Scottish general practices agreed to participate in initiative. Health boards varied significantly in project management styles (from minimal to total control), the nature of the networks they established (intranets or direct connections), costs to practices (from nothing to pound125 per general practitioner per year), and training provided (from none to an extensive programme). In 56% of practices someone accessed NHSnet at least once a week. Practices varied considerably in amount of internet training received and staff groups targeted and in the intention to provide desktop access to NHSnet through a practice network. CONCLUSION:The initiative has successfully introduced a network that links Scottish general practices, health boards, and hospital trusts. However local variation in this "national" initiative may affect its use in primary care. Health authorities and general practices in England and Wales may wish to note these findings in order to avoid unhelpful variation.

SUBMITTER: Willmot M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27497 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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NHSnet in Scottish primary care: lessons for the future.

Willmot M M Sullivan F F

BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 20001001 7265

<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate the primary care communications initiative, which introduced NHSnet to primary care in Scotland.<h4>Design</h4>Semi-structured telephone interviews, postal questionnaire.<h4>Setting</h4>All 15 Scottish health boards, random sample of 1 in 3 of all Scottish general practices.<h4>Participants</h4>Information management and technology managers of health boards, 355 practice managers in the general practices.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>Variations between health boards ...[more]

PMID: 11021870

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Project description:BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) preserves mobility, but few practices screen older adults for mobility impairment or counsel on PA.Design"Promoting Active Aging" (PAA) was a mixed-methods randomized-controlled pilot, to test the feasibility and acceptability of a video-based PA counseling tool and implementation into practice of two mobility assessment tools.SettingThree primary care practices affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Health.ParticipantsAdults aged 65 years and older who presented for primary care follow-up and were willing and able to answer self-report questions and walk 4 meters (n = 59).InterventionVideo-based PA counseling intervention versus control video, "Healthy Eating."MeasurementsPotential participants completed mobility assessments: self-report (Mobility Assessment Tool-short form (MAT-sf)) and performance based (4-meter walk test). We assessed PAA's implementation-feasibility, acceptability, and value-via interviews and surveys. Effectiveness was measured via participant attendance at a PA information session.ResultsOf 92 patients approached, 89 (96.7%) agreed to mobility assessment. Eighty-nine completed MAT-sf, and 97.8% (87/89) completed 4-meter walk test. Sixty-seven (75%) met eligibility criteria, and 59 (88%) consented to be randomized either to the PA counseling intervention (Video-PA) or to active control (Video-C). Most participants viewed the walk test positively (51/59; 86.4%). Staff reported that completion of patient surveys, MAT-sf, and videos required significant staff time and support (median = 26 minutes for all), resulting in low acceptability of MAT-sf and the videos. Attendance at a PA information session did not differ by randomization group (Video-PA = 11/29 (37.9%); Video-C = 12/30 (40%); 95% confidence interval for difference in proportion = -0.29 to 0.25).ConclusionsMobility assessment, particularly a 4-meter walk test, was feasible in primary care. Tablet-based assessment (MAT-sf) and video counseling tools, selected to reduce staff effort, instead required significant time to implement. Future work to promote PA should identify effective ways to facilitate adoption of PA in sedentary older adults that do not burden staff.

Dataset Information

NHSnet in Scottish primary care: lessons for the future.

Publications

NHSnet in Scottish primary care: lessons for the future.

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