Problems with a 'target' approach to access in primary care: a qualitative study.
We report an analysis of the qualitative phase of a study of patients' and carers' views of primary care services, focusing on their experiences of access to face-to-face general practitioner (GP) consultations during the period when new access policies were being implemented. Practices interpreted the new policy in various ways; restricted interpretations, including restriction of access to telephone booking, could cause distress to patients. Patients and carers welcomed flexible interpretations of the policy that offered choice, such as a choice of GP, or of booking in advance.
Windridge
Kate
K
Clinical Governance Research and Development Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester. kcw@leicester.ac.uk
Tarrant
Carolyn
C
Freeman
George K
GK
Baker
Richard
R
Boulton
Mary
M
Low
Janet
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration