Follow-up survey of general practitioners' perceptions of UK allergy services

Abstract

Background: A UK survey of general practitioners (GPs) in 2002 found that they perceived allergy care throughout the UK National Health Service (NHS) to be poor. We conducted a follow-up survey in 2009 to see if GPs' perceptions had changed.Objectives: To determine GP perceptions of allergy care in the NHS in the wake of recent Government reports into allergy care, and to compare the findings of this survey to a similar survey conducted in 2002.Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey of 500 UK GPs was conducted, using an adapted version of the 2002 questionnaire, modified to reflect recent developments in primary care. Results:We obtained valid responses from 149 GPs, 87% of whom were based in England. 74% were GP principals and 63% worked in training practices. Most GPs (71%; 95%CI 63-79) rated overall NHS allergy care as poor, expressing concern about both primary care and access to allergy specialists. There were no significant differences in GPs' perceptions of the quality of allergy care provided in primary (p=0.33) and secondary care (p=0.97) or access to specialists (p=0.

Identifying current training provision and future training needs in allergy available for UK general practice trainees: national cross-sectional survey of General Practitioner Specialist Training programme directors

“…In comparison with a UK survey of GPs performed in 2009 which found that only 29% of GPs surveyed had received allergy training, 10 the results of this study suggest that the current cohort of trainees may be receiving more training in allergy. More generally, the concerns about the perceived management of systemic allergic reaction -particularly food allergy -echo the findings of the earlier GP surveys, 9,10 highlighting the fact that training centred on these disorders is likely to be perceived as useful by both GP trainees and more established GPs.…”

“…In comparison with a UK survey of GPs performed in 2009 which found that only 29% of GPs surveyed had received allergy training, 10 the results of this study suggest that the current cohort of trainees may be receiving more training in allergy. More generally, the concerns about the perceived management of systemic allergic reaction -particularly food allergy -echo the findings of the earlier GP surveys, 9,10 highlighting the fact that training centred on these disorders is likely to be perceived as useful by both GP trainees and more established GPs. The recent publications of national guidelines on food allergy and anaphylaxis by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 14,15 and anaphylaxis guidelines by the World Allergy Organization 16,17 should create a further impetus for improved training in these important clinical areas.…”

“…11 The design of the survey drew upon a questionnaire that had been used in two earlier cross-sectional primary care studies enquiring about allergy care. 9,10 The survey was piloted prior to use with local GPST programme directors. The programme directors were asked to respond to the questions with respect to the teaching delivered from August 2010 to July 2011.…”

“…Despite this, a 2009 follow-up survey supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) reported that only 29% of responding GPs had received any formal allergy training. 10 Under the auspices of the RCGP, we conducted a nationwide survey of General Practice Speciality Training (GPST) programme directors to identify current training needs and opportunities in allergy available for GP trainees. The survey was informed by the contents of the RCGP curriculum which identifies a number of core competencies relating to the diagnosis and care of patients with allergic problems.…”

Systems for the management of respiratory disease in primary care — an international series: United Kingdom

“…A recent survey of GPs found that only 9% had received allergy training. 77 Allergy testing, essential to accurate diagnosis and treatment, is rarely conducted in primary care: skin prick testing is only rarely available 77 and specific IgE testing although widely available is rarely used. Practices have open access to blood tests and radiology services, oximetry is increasingly available, but in some …”