Medication Requesting

So - no surge in demand to see records yet...

I will be targeting specific individuals in January - but how do my surgery patients request repeat medication throughout this year?

Well it seems they average 550-600 items per month ordered 'on-line', without a major variation across the seasons. I am at a loss to explain activity in February 2011 - no major snowfall to blame and the shortest month of the year - perhaps they had finally depleted the Christmas and New Year stockpiles?

I hope they are all stocked-up for Christmas 2011!

Peter S

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

Not the stumbling block I was expecting - but my trusty and long serving surgery colour printer has failed - so no leaflet printing!

Will not be the same in Black & White.

We do not hold mass e-mail addresses for patients, so expecting a further 'lull' in the rush from patients.

Santa not likely to deliver me a new fuser unit before Christmas....

Happy New year one and all!

Peter S.

HOW BUSY ARE WE?

Below are the latest figures for my surgery Electronic Access by patients in November 2011.

Electronic Access Activity	Frequency
System log-on	828
Failed log-on	73
Repeat medication items requested	625
Make appointment	209
Cancel appointment	78
File change of address	5
Change of address request	8
Number of individuals using access	325

 Since activation at the end of 2007, 1322 different patients have utilised electronic access at my surgery out of nearly 9000 on our list.

Questions I am left asking:

Why do so many people fail in attempts to log-on?

Is the system too complex?

How much activity goes on at other surgeries?

What is the difference between filing an address change and requesting one?

No medical record access yet – should I be disappointed?

Will have to ask my supplier a few questions….

AND I DID NOT KNOW..

Patients can access their appointments or medications at my surgery from digital television, Sky, Virgin, web-enabled mobile phone or Nintendo Wii internet channel!

I will need to sort out an ‘on-line’ health game to attract teenagers – perhaps a marketing opportunity here….. Shoot the Norovirus? Modern Germ Warfare 3? Harry Potter and the Impossible Diagnosis?

Peter S.

First things first.

Surgery interest in Records Access from staff and colleagues has had a surprising effect - to encourage the  communication and response in creating a 'virtual' Patient Participation Group. This is accompanied by a renewed enthusiasm and effort to offer appointment and repeat medication 'on-line' to more of our existing patients.

Of course this is a sensible first step, with immediate benefits for patients and the surgery. The 'virtual' group is also likely to give a voice to many who are unable to attend our routine evening meetings, in addition to offering us an easy and efficient communication channel. Our newsletters and bulletins will be much quicker and easier to distribute. Just thinking where this may help with patient input into commissioning dilemmas?.....

Will I have any patients seeing their records before Christmas?

Probably.

Will I have more able to book appointments, range address details and order repeat medication?

Definitely!

Peter Short

I no time at all....

Sending out my first Medical Records log-in details to interested patients on monday. I wonder how it will go?

I have shot a brief video of myself accessing an 'on-line' medical records, but do not yet have the skills to upload it! It took around 40 seconds to log-in to the Welcome Screen, 15 seconds to register the Additional Records Security Password and then about 10 seconds to Confirm Identity and get to a medical record. Does not seem to bad to me, in comparison to many on-line shopping sites?

See below some screen-shots from the EMIS system in use at my surgery (with permission of M Mouse). This is just one of the GP systems used in England, but provides the majority of patient access to GP records at the moment - hopefully similar options will develop soon for all systems (and patients):

On-line log in screen

Welcome screen

The above screen is familiar to the many patients who benefit from electronic ordering of medication and appointments, but adds the option of a medical record view.

Medical Record security screen (a bit like 'Bank' security)

Identity Confirmation screen

Medical Record!!

So there you have it. - childs' play????

They are biting!

I may sound amazed, but three responses of interest on the same day we publicise Medical Records Access via our small 'virtual' Patient Participation Group.

Our customers never cease to amaze me.

I am sending them all a more detailed leaflet to see if what we offer is really of interest - and what they think of my leaflet!

25th Nov

Waiting Game

The worm is on the hook, and dangled in the water. Now it is a waiting game.

It does give me time to finalise questions for the first enthusiasts. I have decided that I will only ask 5 questions, and to post them 'on-line' rather than expect paper replies. Now sifting through questions that other advocates have asked, to see what I will copy or adapt.

Current favourites areas are:

• Why have you agreed to try this system?
• What do you expect to get out of the experience?
• What on-line health services have you used before?
• Do you have any security concerns?
• What other on-line services from the surgery would interest you?

Then I will have to follow-up with questions about the technical, security and usability aspects. Just need a few fish on the bank first...

23rd November