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The Scottish Government has undertaken research to support the development of the General Practice in Scotland and the results were published this week.

The aim of the research was to collect information and views of the Scottish population regarding their expectations and priorities for the provision of GP services. The survey looked at a number of key areas:

• Contacting the GP surgery
• Visiting the GP surgery
• Seeing a Health Professional
• Talking to a Health Professional
• Prescribing of medicines

These are some of the key findings:

• The majority of respondents had visited their GP Surgery, or Health Centre, within the last year, either for themselves (83%) or in the role as a carer (82%). Twelve percent had contacted their surgery 10 or more times. These people were more likely to be older (65+ yrs, 17%) and have a long term condition or disability resulting in regular contact with the NHS1 (30%).
• When contacting the GP surgery, results suggest getting the right appointment was the priority for people. 'Getting an appointment on the same day' was the 1 st or 2 nd most important factor for almost two thirds (64%) of respondents. "Seeing my preferred doctor or nurse" was a priority amongst older respondents, and those with a long term condition, health problem or disability.
• The healthcare professional having personal knowledge of the person's medical history and having access to medical records and test results were of prime importance when seeing a Healthcare Professional, with 71% overall rating either of these as the 1 st or 2 nd most important factor.
• The healthcare professional having time to not only talk to patients, but also having time to listen to them (with over 50% in each case rating these as 1 st or 2 nd most important) were the main priorities for people when talking to a Health Professional.
• A range of issues were considered important when being prescribed medicines, particularly around being told: about side effects; how and when to take medication; and what the medicines are for (one third overall rating the latter as 1st importance).
  

Overall, 35 per cent put “I am told what the medicines are for” in first place. The next most popular statements were: “I am told about possible side effects of medicines” (25 per cent) and “I am told how and when to take medicines” (18 per cent).

Interestingly, of least importance was being given written information about medicines and exploring options other than prescribing. Pharmacists were identified as someone to consult for minor conditions but, for most health concerns, people wanted to see a GP.

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/24110311/0