title: Getting on with your computer is associated with job satisfaction in primary care: entrants to primary care should be assessed for their competency with electronic patient record systems.
abstract: Job satisfaction in primary care is associated with getting on with your computer. Many primary care professionals spend longer interacting with their computer than anything else in their day. However, the computer often makes demands rather than be an aid or supporter that has learned its user's preferences. The use of electronic patient record (EPR) systems is underrepresented in the assessment of entrants to primary care, and in definitions of the core competencies of a family physician/general practitioner. We call for this to be put right: for the use of the EPR to support direct patient care and clinical governance to be given greater prominence in training and assessment. In parallel, policy makers should ensure that the EPR system use is orientated to ensuring patients receive evidence-based care, and EPR system suppliers should explore how their systems might better support their clinician users, in particular learning their preferences.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care and Clinical Informatics, Department of Health Care Management and Policy, University of Surrey GUILDFORD Surrey GU2 7XH, UK. s.lusignan@surrey.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Lusignan
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Director of Research, Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local, 250 Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills 3127, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Management and Policy, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Munro
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003197:Computer Literacy; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence