The evolution of technology in general practice has been accelerated over the last 12 months but how ready were we, and are we, for further digital transformation? What are the factors that influence our willingness to embrace new ways of working and what are the barriers to progression? This was the focus of GP and Digital Fellow Dr Matt Hammerton’s recent report on digital readiness within his local integrated health partnership, a report conducted in conjunction with Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), with the support of WAHSN’s Associate Director Rachel Dominey. This week’s podcast offers a fascinating overview of the report’s findings and outcomes and includes practical advice and recommendations on readying practices and networks for the next stage of the digital journey.

 

Introductions (45 secs)

The reasons for undertaking the study (57 secs)

The reality of the tech available versus what is being used (1 min 42 secs)

Defining digital readiness (2 mins 8 secs)

Which areas of general practice does the report cover? (3 mins 6 secs)

Rachel describes her role at the AHSN (3 mins 34 secs)

How did the study work in practice? (5 mins 3 secs)

Recording the acceleration of tech use during the pandemic (5 mins 45 secs)

The difference in results, pre and post Covid-19 (6 mins 48 secs)

Does digital readiness depend on the tech we are using? (7 mins 17 secs)

Is the ability to embrace new technology more important than how the tech itself works? (8 mins 33 secs)

The AccuRx effect (9 mins 17 secs)

Does a more bespoke technology increase our willingness to use it? (9 mins 57 secs)

Other key factors impacting digital readiness (12 mins 53 secs)

Some recommendations (14 mins 6 secs)

The non-clinical profile (16 mins)

Patient age impact and influence (16 mins 38 secs)

The risk of practices and networks falling behind (17 mins 28 secs)

Further outcomes, recommendations, and advice (18 mins 33 secs)

Taking forward the recommendations from the AHSN’s perspective (19 mins 58 secs)

 

The link to the digital readiness report is here