Paperless practices: a report from a research network

Abstract

The availability and use of clinical information and communication technologies vary markedly between practices. Practices do not inevitably become paperless after a certain number of years of computerisation. Most sampled practices wish to embrace information and communication technologies. There is no set definition of a 'paperless'practice. Practices with varying degrees of computerisation define themselves as being paperless.Understanding between clinicians and managers on the in-house use of paper notes and electronic data gathering can and should be improved. Keywords: computerisation, information and communication technologyK Thiru, S de Lusignan and N Shaw 90 personal ICT use. Managers were also asked to record if their practice consultations were paperless or not. During the last quarter of 1999, 133 practices were sent one managers' questionnaire and six clinicians' questionnaires. A reminder was sent with additional questionnaires to non-responding practices approximately three months later.

The validity of searching routinely collected general practice computer data to identify patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): a manual review of 500 medical records

“…Although UK general practice, in common with most European countries, is computerized and many practices regard themselves as paperless, we cannot be certain that computer searches find all the information contained within these medical records [7]. Computer searches only look at 'structured' data, often referred to in UK general practice as 'Read coded' data because most GPs use Read version 2 for clinical coding.…”

Current state of information technology use in a US primary care practice-based research network

“…This was found in a study conducted by Thiru et al of a UK primary care research network, which used survey methods similar to ours. 19 The researchers there examined how practices in a research network are making progress toward 'paperless' practice. Their findings are interesting in that they suggest policy issues that the US is likely to encounter as national efforts to support IT in primary care continue to emerge.…”

Information communications technology in general practice: cross-sectional survey in London

“…The questionnaires were addressed to individual GPs rather than practice managers, because previous studies have identified that GPs and practice managers have different interpretations as to how ICT is used in practice. 9 Two postal reminders were sent to non-responders. In addition, we conducted a non-response follow-up of 40 nonresponding practices, using a telephone interview with practice managers, to determine their rates of use of paper-light and paperless consultations.…”