Digital requirements for new primary care models

This briefing looks at emerging changes in primary care, and how digital technology can help managers and clinicians to deliver them.

General practice faces historic demands and pressures: tight funding, a medical workforce shortage, more complex patients and the demand for seven day access. 

This briefing examines how technology can underpin a series of changes enabling primary care to meet these challenges. We look towards a possible future in which general practice operates at scale; functions as one with other organisations; and delivers care through a diverse range of professionals. 

Drawing on six case study sites using new technologies, we lay out how innovations such as shared health records, patient portals for booking, remote consultation and telehealth are supporting these changes. Finally, we highlight the local and national barriers to realising this vision, and discuss how they can be overcome.

Suggested citation

Castle-Clarke S, Kumpunen S, Machaqueiro S, Curry N and Imison C (2016) Digital requirements for new primary care models: a briefing for clinicians and managers. Nuffield Trust.