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The pendulum has indeed swung too far. Julian Tudor Hart's famous Inverse Care Law applies perfectly here (Lancet Nov 1971).
I quote: The availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it in the population served." At the behest of Matt Hancock, younger, IT literate people like me who own a computer now have convenient and rapid access to primary healthcare, which I support, but are also often people who have the least medical need. Prior to Covid, primary care in the UK was struggling with the needs of older people with multiple co-morbidities but we appear to be instructed to offer access in a way which is is not suited to the needs of the people who need us most.
While I agree with Dr Needham (3rd October) that the pendulum certainly has swung too far in terms of all general practice consultations being done remotely, I regret to disagree that an increased medical school intake will be the answer.
As a former GP receptionist and someone who started medical school keen to pursue a career in general practice the idea of reduced face to face interactions has greatly put myself and a number of my peers off the specialty. Firstly, due to the increased workload and stress that will occur following increased risk-taking as important information gleaned from examination and laying eyes on the patient will be lost. Secondly, the patient-doctor relationship, something we have been taught to be both crucial in our work and a huge reward of general practice, will be close to non-existent. It is had to imagine why we would chose to work in job where less of our skills are utilised and satisfaction is low. While many current GPs might understandably depart the profession, there will not be many new doctors to fill their shoes.
Re: Teleconsultations compromise patient safety and professional satisfaction
Dear Editor
The pendulum has indeed swung too far. Julian Tudor Hart's famous Inverse Care Law applies perfectly here (Lancet Nov 1971).
I quote: The availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need for it in the population served." At the behest of Matt Hancock, younger, IT literate people like me who own a computer now have convenient and rapid access to primary healthcare, which I support, but are also often people who have the least medical need. Prior to Covid, primary care in the UK was struggling with the needs of older people with multiple co-morbidities but we appear to be instructed to offer access in a way which is is not suited to the needs of the people who need us most.
Competing interests: No competing interests