General practice patient records.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the management and use of patient records as well as plans for future information management. SETTING: General practice in South Australia (68% response, n = 315). METHODS: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using a mail questionnaire. RESULTS: The sample was representative by age, gender and postcode location of practice. Half the GPs used index cards and 5% computer-based records. Users of the RACGP folder were most (92%) and index card users least (65%) satisfied. The use of patient summaries could be improved. GPs planned to change to computer-based billing, more comprehensive paper-based records, and computer-based patient records. Perceived reasons for and obstacles to change were documented. Factors that influenced the use of different forms of patient records were type and place of practice, staff employed, gender, a Diploma in Obstetrics, age, year of graduation, type of record used and satisfaction with it, vocational registration, FRACGP, and FMP training. CONCLUSION: Given the high use of index cards, a variable but generally low satisfaction and planned changes, there is an unmet need for useful patient record systems in general practice. The effect of affluence of suburb and vocational registration warrants further study.