Identifying how GPs spend their time and the obstacles they face: a mixed-methods study (29 November 2021)

Summary

This study in The British Journal of General Practice aimed to quantify the time GPs spend on different activities during clinical sessions, to identify the number of operational failures they encounter and to define the nature of operational failures and their impact for GPs.

Content

The study examined the work of 61 GPs working in the NHS using time-motion methods, ethnographic observations and interviews. It found that GPs’ work is frequently disrupted by operational failures including:

• missing patient information
• problems with technology
• interruptions to consultations.

The study identifies the nature and impact of operational failures that GPs face, allowing for more specific improvement measures to be explored. It also indicates the need for coordinated action to support GPs.