Case Study 5 - Assessment of the NHS National Programme for Information Technology
This survey, Medix’s seventh on the topic, was commissioned by the British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management, Computer Weekly, E-Health Insider, The Guardian and GP to investigate the views of doctors in England about the National Programme for IT (NPfIT). NPfIT, the NHS’s £12.4bn computer project, is being implemented by the Department of Health agency, NHS Connecting for Health.
The study was conducted online with 1,026 respondents, constituting over 1% of doctors practicing in England and representing a balanced range of specialities.
TThe findings confirmed earlier Medix findings that a majority of doctors believes that NPfIT has the potential to benefit clinical care. However, it also confirmed that doctors are increasingly critical of NPfIT – especially of its costs and how it is being implemented, especially the lack of consultation with the medical profession. A major concern is risk to the confidentiality of patient records.
Tony Collins – Executive Editor, Computer Weekly
We have co-sponsored several Medix surveys on NPfIT and have been delighted with the weight and
quality of response, the careful attention to detail, the objectivity of analysis and the presentation of
findings.
Martyn Thomas – software engineer and Visiting Professor, Oxford University
A safe and efficient NHS depends on effective use of IT. The Medix NPfIT studies are playing a vital
role in ensuring that the voice of doctors, the real users of the new systems, is heard and heard clearly.
John Carvel, Social Affairs Editor, The Guardian.
The Medix results made our lead story, giving an accurate insight into doctors' views - aware of the
potential benefits of a national patient record, but concerned about confidentiality. As usual, Medix
delivered on time.
Jon Hoeksma – Editor, E-Health Insider (2006 Technology Journalist of the Year)
As well as providing a consistent picture of the central NPfIT issues, Medix gets valuable feedback on
topical themes. Its ability to reach a broad sample of the medical profession, ask them interesting
questions and give sharp analysis is
unrivalled.
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