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Simon de Lusignan

Publications and source records attributed to Simon de Lusignan.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Moving to paperlessness: a case study from a large general practice.

This case study reports the reasons why this large, multi-site general practice decided to move towards paperless practice in late 2001, and describes the progress and lessons learned to date. The principal operational reasons for this decision were problems associated with moving paper medical records between surgeries, and the realisation that resources to improve the computerised medical record could only come from redeploying the time spent handling paper records. A comprehensive plan was put in place to shift toward paperlessness. Motivating and changing working practices for clinical and support staff was as a great a challenge as upgrading the technology. The practice upgraded its computer system, and has installed scanning and automated generation of referral and other letters. The support staff skills have evolved from moving records to scanning documents and coding data. All clinical staff now consult on their computer, and code diagnoses and key clinical data. A networked digital dictation system allows typing to be centralised at one location, with the networking allowing printing at any site. Audit and quality improvement activities have increased, as the output from computer searches increasingly represents the quality of care provided. The implications of this case study are that a committed general practice can achieve a largely paperless environment in approximately two years. The practice is now fit to be part of any move towards integration of records within its local health community, and can demonstrate from its computer records that it meets the quality targets for primary care.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗
PubMed2003

Using three-channel video to evaluate the impact of the use of the computer on the patient-centredness of the general practice consultation.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using three-channel video to explore the impact of the computer on general practitioner (GP) consultations. A previous study had highlighted the limitations of using single-channel video: firstly, there was a lack of information about exactly how the computer was being used, and secondly difficulty in interpreting the body language of the consulting clinician. More information was needed to understand the impact of the computer on the consultation, and in this pilot three-channel video was used to overcome these constraints. Four doctors consulted, with the patient's role played by an actor with a preset script and preloaded personal and family history record programmed into the computer. The output was analysed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and observational methods were used to explore the effect of computers on aspects of verbal and non-verbal behaviour and the completeness of the computer data record. Three-channel video proved to be a feasible and valuable technique for the analysis of primary care GP consultations, with advantages over single-channel video. Interesting differences in non-verbal and verbal behaviour became apparent with different types of computer use during the consultation. Implications for the three-channel video technique for training, monitoring GP competence and providing feedback are discussed.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed2002

An evaluation of general practice websites in the UK.

BACKGROUND: General practice websites are an emerging phenomenon, but there have been few critical evaluations of their content. Previously developed rating instruments to assess medical websites have been criticized for failing to report their reliability and validity. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a rating instrument for assessing UK general practice websites, and then to evaluate them critically. METHODS: The STaRNet Website Assessment Tool (SWAT) was developed listing criteria that general practice websites may meet, which was then used to evaluate a random sample of websites drawn from an electronic database. A second assessor rated a subsample of the sites to assess the tool's inter-rater reliability. The setting was an information technology group of a general practice research network using a random sample of 108 websites identified from the database. The main outcome measures were identification of rating criteria and frequency counts from the website rating instrument. RESULTS: Ninety (93.3%) sites were accessible, of which 84 were UK general practice websites. Criteria most frequently met were those describing the scope of the website and their functionality. Apart from e-mail to practices, criteria related to electronic communication were rarely met. Criteria relating to the quality of information were least often met. Inter-rater reliability kappa values for the items in the tool ranged from -0.06 to 1.0 (mean 0.59). Values were >0.6 for 15 out of 25 criteria assessed in 40 sites which were rated by two assessors. CONCLUSIONS: General practice websites offer a wide range of information. They are technically satisfactory, but do not exploit fully the potential for electronic doctor-patient communication. The quality of information they provide is poor. The instrument may be developed as a template for general practices producing or revising their own websites.

Family Practice↗
PubMed2002

The effectiveness of blood tests in detecting secondary osteoporosis or mimicking conditions in postmenopausal women.

The National Service Framework for Older People requires a reduction in the number of falls that result in serious injury. Those most at risk need to be identified, investigated in line with the Royal College of Physicians Clinical Guidelines and receive appropriate treatment. This report looks at the results of investigation of postmenopausal women diagnosed as having osteoporosis in primary care by forearm Dexa scanner (DTX200) and questions whether the investigations suggested within the National Service Framework are justifiable. Scans were performed on 699 postmenopausal women aged 54 or over resulting in a new diagnosis of osteoporosis in 173 women. Complete blood tests were performed in 107 of the newly diagnosed patients. Only three of these patients (2.8%) had blood test results that revealed a potential secondary cause. The rates of positive findings are low; further research is needed to see if they are justified in postmenopausal women.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does screening for loss of lung function help smokers give up?

One-fifth of smokers show accelerated decline in lung function. These are the patients that go on to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an illness characterized by cough, production of sputum, shortness of breath and premature death (Sethi and Rochester, 2000). If this group of smokers stopped smoking, their decline would slow and they might avoid developing COPD. This pilot study aimed to discover whether those with accelerated decline in lung function would quit if presented with the facts about their situation. Known smokers in their 50s were screened for signs of accelerated respiratory decline. Those with an accelerated decline in lung function were identified and given tailored smoking cessation advice. Of 141 eligible patients, 22 responded and six gave up smoking and remained non-smokers 1 year later. The results of this pilot suggest that screening smokers for accelerated respiratory decline by practice nurses is feasible and acceptable to those patients that respond. Further research is needed to discover whether such an intervention would be cost-effective.

Health Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model for patient-centred nurse consulting in primary care.

A model for patient-centred nurse consulting, developed in the context of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, is reported in this article. The model was created in the absence of any existing model for nurse consulting. Heart disease clinics are increasingly being used to implement the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease and it is anticipated that this model will be of practical use to nurses running these clinics. The model consists of eight steps, broadly following the chronology of the consultation. Each step contains a question for the nurse to ask him/herself and a task to complete. The model was developed as part of a research project on the influence of customized computer software used on nurse consultations with patients with heart disease.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Overcoming the barriers to using information systems.

AIM: To identify any barriers to the use of information technology by community nurses, such as poor access, insufficient time and a lack of appropriate skills. METHODS: Literature review and questionnaire. RESULTS: The study showed that a large majority of community nurses had access to IT. However, sharing facilities and varying clinical systems meant that, with the exception of e-mail, they made infrequent use of the applications provided. CONCLUSION: Despite some access difficulties, community nurses have a positive attitude to IT and would like to receive more training.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗