Primary care settings globally are increasingly making use of digital tools and routes of access for patients to schedule and receive care, and this use has increased with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the digital primary care team we conduct research that critically evaluates the development, implementation and use of digital tools and routes of access in primary care settings. Our team utilises both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. We collaborate nationally and internationally with digital health researchers and our research has a direct impact on patient care and policy.

Our research covers three key areas as follows.

Digital Access to Primary Care - We conduct research that explores and evaluates digital routes of access to primary care and the consultation.

Digital Intervention - We engage in research that evaluates the use of digital interventions to support and improve patient care.

Digital Tools and Data Science - We utilize large scale NHS datasets and routinely collected NHS data to answer the key research questions facing primary care.

Current projects:

• GP-SUS Link opens in a new window- Whatever happened to all those attempts to change access to General Practice? Revisiting case studies to learn about innovation, impact and SUStainable change
• Di-FactoLink opens in a new window - Facilitating access to online NHS primary care services

• Video consultations in general practice - a qualitative study exploring opportunities and challenges with a special focus on relational and organizational factorsLink opens in a new window

• Investigating Caregiver Satisfaction with Online and In-Person Support Groups for Caregivers of People with DementiaLink opens in a new window
• Evaluation of telephone based digital triage in urgent careLink opens in a new window
• Use of an online consultation platform in general practice as a first point of contact for patients and the use as tool for early detection of cancerLink opens in a new window

Recently completed projects include:

• The experiences of remote consulting for people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and fibromyalgia in primary careLink opens in a new window
• Pharmacy based video consultation: which patients use it, and how do they experience it?Link opens in a new window
• Co-production and testing of an online resource to support the diagnosis and self-management of migraineLink opens in a new window
• Community outreach: creating an online space about health research on a university webpageLink opens in a new window
• The OPTEL Study - The experiences and perceptions of older people, their carers and their general practice teams in using a 'telephone first' approach for access to appointments (OPTEL): a qualitative study
• Digital Access Now (DAN)Link opens in a new window: survey of patients in general practice about their use of digital services
• Care CompanionLink opens in a new window - an online platform to support the resilience and well-being of family carers.
• OBOELink opens in a new window - Investigating patient use of, and experience of online booking in primary care
• INQUIRELink opens in a new window Online patient feedback: a mixed methods study to understand how to Improve NHS Quality Using Internet Ratings and Experiences
• The VICO Study - Feasibility, acceptability and nature of video consultation via the internet in general practice
• Digital interventions for cardiometabolic disease in South Asians- a case study for opportunities, risks and inequalities in digital healthLink opens in a new window