WWW

How is the world wide web used?
Very little is known about the use of web sites by patients in general practice. Practice web sites are probably accessed infrequently by patients, although this use may well expand in the future. The degree of use is probably related to the area in which you practice: here are some comments from GP's in 1997...
Our repeat prescription form is used twice a month for 1500 patients
brenhillsurg@dial.pipex.com
We have an extensive practice web site at http://www.stamford.co.uk/littlesurgery/ We don't encourage Email requests for repeat prescriptions, mainly for practical reasons, as we do not have an internet/Email connection at work. I don't want to deal with repeat scripts at home !

I do get several medical queries a week. None have been from practice patients, but from other people (usually Americans) who have viewed our web site. In particular, our miscarriage page has had over 5,000 hits since I put it on the web approx 12 months ago. Some of the queries are very sad - youngsters just wanting some basic information and reassurance. This reflects the lack of a decent GP service in the USA.

Since joining GP-UK my eyes have certainly been opened. Many of our patients do not have telephones at home. The idea of email prescription requests is decades away. This is in a poor area of Stoke-on-Trent, I'm not sure where email prescription would be a useful service.
Munnu Shaikh GP. munnu@netcentral.co.uk


However, it may not be as bleak as that now. Other practices report that patients find the practice information helpful, though few practices seem to be providing a comprehensive repeat prescription service which is regularly used at the moment.

The medical areas of practice websites are much more heavily used, and as more practices develop internet access this is bound to increase. In 1997, 25% of GP's had internet access, now it is almost universal.

The future looks much more promising - we will explore this later...

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