- Doctors are increasingly pushing patients to access care online or through the NHS app, which is putting patients at risk according to a report by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB).
- The report found that digital forms used by GP practices are poorly designed and unable to collect necessary information, leading to potentially lethal delays in diagnosing diseases.
- Patients, especially the elderly, feel frustrated, humiliated, and embarrassed when asked to submit symptoms online, potentially leading them to downplay their issues.
- Lack of personal interaction through digital services means doctors may miss vital cues, and the requirement for patients to have a computer or smartphone promotes inequality.
- While online tools can benefit GPs and patients, they have also contributed to patient safety incidents, including a case where a patient needed complex surgery due to a delayed cancer diagnosis.
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Family Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Public Health & Prevention