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Workload of general practitioners before and after the new contract
D Hannay1, T Usherwood, M Platts
1Department of General Practice, University of Sheffield.
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|March 7, 1992
Summary
General practitioners experienced increased workload after the 1990 contract, with more time spent on general medical services due to increased patient numbers in clinics. This highlights a significant shift in primary care physician duties.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
- General Practice Workload
Background:
- The introduction of a new contract for general practitioners (GPs) in April 1990 aimed to reshape primary care services.
- Assessing the impact of such policy changes on physician workload is crucial for understanding healthcare system dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the changes in general practitioners' workload following the implementation of the new contract in April 1990.
- Quantify shifts in time allocation between general medical services and other duties.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study design using weekly workload diaries.
- Data collected from general practitioners in Sheffield, UK, during February-March 1990 and the same period in 1991.
- Analysis focused on mean weekly hours, patient numbers, and time per patient.
Main Results:
- General medical service work increased significantly, from 38.6 to 40.6 hours per week.
- The number of patients seen in clinics rose substantially, alongside an increase in time spent per clinic patient.
- While non-GMS work decreased, overall physician workload in GMS duties showed a significant rise.
Conclusions:
- The 1990 GP contract led to a significant increase in general medical services workload.
- This increase is primarily attributed to a higher volume of patients managed within clinic settings.
- No corresponding reduction in time per patient was observed, indicating increased efficiency demands.