‘Paradox’ of improving access in general practice

Rules designed to manage the demand for appointments in general practice can actually make the problem worse, according to a new study in the British Journal of General Practice.

Reactive rules to control demand can also undermine important aspects of care, such as continuity, and can create extra work for practice staff and clinicians, and frustration for patients.

Complicated rules – which can vary from one day of the week to another – combined with a lack of capacity and flexibility, leave many patients, including those with complex and/or unrecognised health needs, unable to navigate the system to access care.

The researchers conclude that ‘understanding this paradox of access problems allows for different targets for chance, and different solutions to free up capacity in general practice.’

Voorhees J, et al. Br J Gen Pract 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2023.0276