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Improving access to primary care: eight case studies of introducing advanced access in England

Improving access to primary care: eight case studies of introducing advanced access in England
Improving access to primary care: eight case studies of introducing advanced access in England
Objective: To examine the implementation of 'Advanced Access' as a means of improving access to primary care.

Methods: Qualitative case studies of eight English general practices undertaken as part of a mixed method study.

Results: There was considerable variation in the interpretation and implementation of Advanced Access. Practices claiming to operate this system often did not follow its key principles. Differences between practice access systems centred on the use of 'same-day' appointments. The association of Advanced Access with same-day appointment systems was problematic as it both created antagonism to, and diverged from, the Advanced Access model. Practice staff did not necessarily share the conceptualisation of demand that underpinned Advanced Access. Other policies and targets provided further incentives to diverge from the model and these factors were compounded by informal organizational behaviours, notably the exercise of discretion, which led to adaptation.

Conclusion: Advanced Access was diluted because it became confused with same-day appointment systems and other incentives and targets. Its guiding philosophy of 'manageable demand' appeared counter-intuitive to staff in the context of general practice, which made its implementation problematic. As a result, the system was adapted and modified.
primary care, qualitative case studies, practice staff
1355-8196
33-39
Pope, C.
21ae1290-0838-4245-adcf-6f901a0d4607
Banks, J.
2167ae63-25b7-47e6-84ee-b0751963d597
Salisbury, C.
39ed89b8-3167-4e59-b51e-7f99a309e495
Lattimer, V.
5aa2c9a5-13cb-4776-9b0d-c618e6913f5b
Pope, C.
21ae1290-0838-4245-adcf-6f901a0d4607
Banks, J.
2167ae63-25b7-47e6-84ee-b0751963d597
Salisbury, C.
39ed89b8-3167-4e59-b51e-7f99a309e495
Lattimer, V.
5aa2c9a5-13cb-4776-9b0d-c618e6913f5b

Pope, C., Banks, J., Salisbury, C. and Lattimer, V. (2008) Improving access to primary care: eight case studies of introducing advanced access in England. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 13 (1), 33-39. (doi:10.1258/jhsrp.2007.007039).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objective: To examine the implementation of 'Advanced Access' as a means of improving access to primary care.

Methods: Qualitative case studies of eight English general practices undertaken as part of a mixed method study.

Results: There was considerable variation in the interpretation and implementation of Advanced Access. Practices claiming to operate this system often did not follow its key principles. Differences between practice access systems centred on the use of 'same-day' appointments. The association of Advanced Access with same-day appointment systems was problematic as it both created antagonism to, and diverged from, the Advanced Access model. Practice staff did not necessarily share the conceptualisation of demand that underpinned Advanced Access. Other policies and targets provided further incentives to diverge from the model and these factors were compounded by informal organizational behaviours, notably the exercise of discretion, which led to adaptation.

Conclusion: Advanced Access was diluted because it became confused with same-day appointment systems and other incentives and targets. Its guiding philosophy of 'manageable demand' appeared counter-intuitive to staff in the context of general practice, which made its implementation problematic. As a result, the system was adapted and modified.

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More information

Published date: 2008
Keywords: primary care, qualitative case studies, practice staff
Organisations: Nursing & Midwifery

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 50780
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/50780
ISSN: 1355-8196
PURE UUID: 7185f7e9-f210-41d0-92c3-4581cbbeeb74
ORCID for C. Pope: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8935-6702

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 28 Mar 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 10:11

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Contributors

Author: C. Pope ORCID iD
Author: J. Banks
Author: C. Salisbury
Author: V. Lattimer

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