Covid-19 has presented many challenges for GPs, not least the changes they have had to enact to ensure they are able to continue safe and effective management of patients with long terms health conditions. This week’s podcast features GP Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership and fellow GP Dr Minal Bakhai, National Clinical Director for Digital First Primary Care, who discuss the impact that the rapid introduction of tech and a more tech based approach in primary care has meant overall but also more crucially, how the opportunities presented by Covid have enabled them to offer increased flexibility and adaptability to meet patients’ needs - and to reach previously untapped patient populations.  

 

Introductions (35 secs)

 

Which of the changes has had the most beneficial effect? (1 min 1 sec)

 

A total triage model of care (1 min 31 secs)

 

Remote consultations in numbers (2 mins 12 secs)

 

Using the wider workforce and rapid progress in other areas (3 mins 17 secs)

 

Remote monitoring and the impact on management of long-term conditions (4 mins 10 secs)

 

Andy’s experience from Portsdown Group Practice

 

The opportunities presented by Covid (5 mins 54 secs)

 

Was Covid the enabler for change or was this already the direction of travel? (6 mins 37 secs)

 

The power of shared purpose and streamlining services (8 mins 24 secs)

 

How has the shift to digital changed the management of patients with long term conditions? (8 mins 41 secs)

 

The risks new ways of working may present to patients with asthma and other lung conditions (10 mins 32 secs)

 

Asthma: the facts (and the ways digital transformation can improve outcomes) (11 mina 44 secs)

 

What happens next? (14 mins 38 secs)

 

Continuing the momentum at PCN level (17 mins 45 secs)

 

The importance of being able to align primary care services to patient lifestyle and preference (18 mins 38 secs)

 

Getting in touch and further information (19 mins 18 secs)

 

 

Links for guidance and support in setting up a digital model:

 

Advice on how to establish a 'total triage' model in general practice using online consultations

 

Health Education England e-learning on remote total triage model in general practice

 

Principles for safe video consulting during Covid-19

 

Digital First Primary Care home page: https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/digital-first-primary-care/

 

Contact Digital First Primary Care: [email protected]

 

 

Specific links related to management of asthma:

 

Here is the link to all of the asthma uk publications

 

Specifically digital asthma: reimagining primary care

 

Minal mentioned this report looking at data sharing and technology exploring the attitudes of people with asthma  

 

asthma.org.uk

 

blf.org.uk