Table 1.
Summary of questionnaire responses from online NHS Choices users, who reported using the website in relation to GP consultations (n = 1559)
| Responses | Frequency | % | 95% confidence intervals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | |||
| Women | 1164 | 74.7 | 72.4–76.8 |
| Men | 207 | 13.3 | 11.6–15.1 |
| Did not wish to answer | 188 | 12.1 | 10.5–13.8 |
| Age group (years) | |||
| Under 18 | 45 | 2.9 | 2.1–3.8 |
| 18–24 | 209 | 13.4 | 11.8–15.2 |
| 25–34 | 364 | 23.3 | 21.3–25.5 |
| 35–44 | 255 | 16.4 | 14.6–18.3 |
| 45–54 | 284 | 18.2 | 16.3–20.2 |
| 55–59 | 81 | 5.2 | 4.1–6.4 |
| 60–64 | 87 | 5.6 | 4.5–6.8 |
| 65–74 | 35 | 2.2 | 1.6–3.1 |
| 75 + | 11 | 0.7 | 0.4–1.3 |
| Did not answer | 188 | 12.1 | 10.5–13.8 |
| Ethnicity | |||
| White British | 1182 | 75.8 | 73.6–77.9 |
| White Irish | 27 | 1.7 | 1.1–2.5 |
| White | 69 | 4.4 | 3.5–5.6 |
| Mixed white and Caribbean | 3 | 0.2 | 0.0–0.5 |
| Mixed White and African | 2 | 0.1 | 0.0–0.5 |
| Mixed other | 7 | 0.4 | 0.2–0.9 |
| Asian Indian | 15 | 1.0 | 0.5–1.6 |
| Asian Pakistani | 3 | 0.2 | 0.0–0.5 |
| Asian Bangladeshi | 7 | 0.4 | 0.2–0.9 |
| Asian Other | 7 | 0.4 | 0.2–0.9 |
| Black Caribbean | 5 | 0.3 | 0.1–0.7 |
| Black African | 12 | 0.8 | 0.4–1.3 |
| Black Other | 1 | 0.1 | 0.0–0.4 |
| Chinese | 6 | 0.4 | 0.1–0.8 |
| Other ethnic group | 6 | 0.4 | 0.1–0.8 |
| Did not answer | 207 | 13.3 | 11.6–15.1 |
| Self-rated health | |||
| Good health | 594 | 38.1 | 35.7–40.6 |
| Fairly good health | 650 | 41.7 | 39.2–44.2 |
| Poor health | 136 | 8.7 | 7.4–10.2 |
| Did not answer | 179 | 11.5 | 9.9–13.2 |
| Frequency of GP consultations | |||
| At least weekly | 14 | 0.9 | 0.5–1.5 |
| Monthly | 187 | 12.0 | 10.4–13.7 |
| Quarterly | 415 | 26.6 | 24.4–28.9 |
| Every six months | 421 | 27.0 | 24.8–29.3 |
| Less than once a year | 343 | 22.0 | 20.0–24.1 |
| Did not answer | 179 | 11.5 | 9.9–13.2 |
| Frequency of NHS Choices use | |||
| First time | 354 | 22.7 | 20.6–24.9 |
| Less than once a month | 678 | 43.5 | 41.0–46.0 |
| Monthly | 348 | 22.3 | 20.3–24.5 |
| Weekly | 149 | 9.6 | 8.1–11.1 |
| Daily | 30 | 1.9 | 1.3–2.7 |
| Features respondents agree would improve use of NHS Choices in relation to GP consultations | |||
| Online booking of appointments | 856 | 54.9 | 52.4–57.4 |
| Repeat prescriptions online | 812 | 52.1 | 49.6–54.6 |
| A printable checklist of questions about my condition | 720 | 46.2 | 43.6–48.7 |
| A printable list of treatment options | 587 | 37.7 | 35.2–40.1 |
| Online conversation with a GP/Practice Nurse | 797 | 51.1 | 48.6–53.6 |
| SMS/mobile text appointment reminders | 420 | 26.9 | 24.8–29.2 |
| A computer in the waiting area for use prior to/after my appointment | 54 | 3.5 | 2.6–4.5 |
| Satisfaction with use of NHS Choices in relation to GP consultations | |||
| Very satisfied | 252 | 18.1 | 14.4–18.1 |
| Satisfied | 794 | 57.1 | 48.4–53.4 |
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 334 | 24 | 19.4–23.5 |
| Dissatisfied | 7 | 0.5 | 0.2–0.9 |
| Very Dissatisfied | 4 | 0.3 | 0.1–0.7 |
| Did not answer | 168 | 10.8 | 9.3–12.4 |
| Patient who agree/strongly agree that use of NHS Choices for their GP appointments means… | |||
| I know more about my condition/illness | 1189 | 76.3 | 74.1–78.4 |
| I know more about my treatment options | 1082 | 69.4 | 67.0–71.7 |
| I am more confident to ask questions | 984 | 63.1 | 60.7–65.5 |
| I am confident to express my point of view | 870 | 55.8 | 53.3–58.3 |
| When respondents use Internet information relating to a GP consultation | |||
| Before the appointment | 1299 | 83.3 | 81.4–85.1 |
| During the appointment | 33 | 2.1 | 1.5–3.0 |
| After the appointment | 4 | 0.4 | 0.1–0.7 |
| Most useful aspects of NHS Choices when thinking about consulting a GP | |||
| To find information on my symptoms/condition | 1250 | 80.2 | 78.1–82.1 |
| To learn about my treatment options | 600 | 38.5 | 36.1–41.0 |
| To help me decide if I am going to visit my GP | 846 | 54.3 | 51.8–56.8 |
| To be more prepared before I see the GP/Practice Nurse | 504 | 32.3 | 30.0–34.7 |
| To help understand information I was given during an appointment | 530 | 34.0 | 31.6–36.4 |
| To help me ask specific questions during an appointment | 367 | 23.5 | 21.5–25.7 |
| To search for a specialist or hospital | 113 | 7.2 | 6.0–8.6 |
| To find out about my GP/Practice Nurse or other NHS Services | 153 | 9.8 | 8.4–11.4 |
| To find medical information on travelling abroad | 149 | 9.6 | 8.1–11.1 |
| To look at pregnancy information | 222 | 14.2 | 12.5–16.1 |
| To look at healthy living information or stop smoking information | 171 | 11 | 9.5–12.6 |
| Mention of NHS Choices during a GP consultation | |||
| Yes, by the GP/Practice Nurse | 74 | 4.7 | 3.7–5.9 |
| Yes, by patient | 110 | 7.1 | 5.8–8.4 |
| Effect of NHS Choices on frequency of GP visits | |||
| Decreases the number of visits I make | 515 | 33.0 | 30.7–35.4 |
| Increases the number of visits I make | 43 | 2.8 | 2.0–3.7 |
| Makes no difference | 839 | 53.8 | 51.3–56.3 |
| Did not answer | 162 | 10.4 | 8.9–12.0 |