Table 2.
A summary of questionnaire responses among GP waiting room survey participants who have used NHS Choices (n = 125)
| Responses | Frequency | % | 95% confidence intervals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | |||
| Female | 94 | 75.2 | 66.7–82.5 |
| Male | 31 | 24.8 | 17.5–33.3 |
| Age group (years) | |||
| 18–24 | 11 | 8.8 | 4.5–15.2 |
| 25–34 | 54 | 43.2 | 34.4–52.4 |
| 35–44 | 29 | 23.2 | 16.1–31.6 |
| 45–54 | 18 | 14.4 | 8.8–21.8 |
| 55–59 | 4 | 3.2 | 0.9–8.0 |
| 60–64 | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| 65–74 | 4 | 3.2 | 0.9–8.0 |
| 75 + | 2 | 1.6 | 0.1–5.7 |
| Ethnicity | |||
| White British | 68 | 54.4 | 45.3–63.3 |
| White Irish | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| White British others | 18 | 14.4 | 8.8–21.8 |
| Mixed white and Caribbean | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| Mixed White and African | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0–2.9 |
| Mixed other | 5 | 4.0 | 1.3–9.1 |
| Asian Indian | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Asian Pakistani | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Asian Bangladeshi | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0–2.9 |
| Asian Other | 2 | 1.6 | 0.1–5.7 |
| Black Caribbean | 7 | 5.6 | 2.3–11.2 |
| Black African | 6 | 4.8 | 1.8–10.2 |
| Black Other | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Chinese | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| Other ethnic group | 4 | 3.2 | 0.9–8.0 |
| Did not answer | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| Self-rated health | |||
| Good health | 80 | 64.0 | 54.9–72.4 |
| Fairly good health | 39 | 31.2 | 23.2–40.1 |
| Poor health | 5 | 4.0 | 1.3–9.1 |
| Did not answer | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Frequency of GP consultations | |||
| At least weekly | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Monthly | 19 | 15.2 | 9.4–22.7 |
| Quarterly | 37 | 29.6 | 21.8–38.4 |
| Every six months | 47 | 37.6 | 29.1–46.7 |
| Less than once a year | 21 | 16.8 | 10.7–24.5 |
| NHS Choices mentioned in GP consultation that day | |||
| Yes, I mentioned it | 7 | 5.6 | 2.3–11.2 |
| Yes, the GP/Practice Nurse mentioned it | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| No, it was not mentioned | 114 | 91.2 | 84.8–95.5 |
| Did not answer | 3 | 2.4 | 0.5–6.9 |
| Features respondents agree would improve use of NHS Choices in relation to GP consultations | |||
| Online booking of appointments | 73 | 58.4 | 49.2–67.1 |
| Repeat prescriptions online | 70 | 56.0 | 46.8–64.9 |
| A printable checklist of questions about my condition | 46 | 36.8 | 28.4–45.9 |
| A printable list of treatment options | 49 | 39.2 | 30.6–48.3 |
| Online conversation with a GP/Practice Nurse | 54 | 43.2 | 34.4–52.4 |
| SMS/mobile text appointment reminders | 42 | 33.6 | 25.4–42.6 |
| A computer in the waiting area for use prior to/after my appointment | 16 | 12.8 | 7.5–20.0 |
| Satisfaction with use of NHS Choices if have used the website in relation to GP consultations | |||
| Very satisfied | 7 | 5.6 | 2.3–11.2 |
| Satisfied | 39 | 31.2 | 23.2–40.1 |
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 14 | 11.2 | 6.3–18.1 |
| Dissatisfied | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0–2.9 |
| Very Dissatisfied | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Has not used | 34 | 27.2 | 19.6–35.9 |
| Did not answer | 30 | 24.0 | 16.8–32.5 |
| Patient who agree/strongly agree that use of NHS Choices for their GP appointments means… | |||
| I know more about my condition/illness | 82 | 65.6 | 56.6–73.9 |
| I know more about my treatment options | 76 | 60.8 | 51.7–69.4 |
| I am more confident to ask questions | 73 | 58.4 | 49.2–67.1 |
| I am confident to express my point of view | 63 | 50.4 | 41.3–59.5 |
| When respondents use internet information relating to a GP consultation | |||
| Before the appointment | 99 | 79.2 | 71.0–85.9 |
| During the appointment | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| After the appointment | 67 | 53.6 | 44.5–62.6 |
| Most useful aspects of NHS Choices when thinking about consulting a GP | |||
| To find information on my symptoms/condition | 69 | 55.2 | 46.0–64.1 |
| To learn about my treatment options | 44 | 35.2 | 26.9–44.2 |
| To help me decide if I am going to visit my GP | 49 | 39.2 | 30.6–48.3 |
| To be more prepared before I see the GP/Practice Nurse | 37 | 29.6 | 21.8–38.4 |
| To help understand information I was given during an appointment | 37 | 29.6 | 21.8–38.4 |
| To help me ask specific questions during an appointment | 17 | 13.6 | 8.1–20.9 |
| To search for a specialist or hospital | 22 | 17.6 | 11.4–25.4 |
| To find out about my GP/Practice Nurse or other NHS Services | 19 | 15.2 | 9.4–22.7 |
| To find medical information on travelling abroad | 15 | 12.0 | 6.9–19.0 |
| To look at pregnancy information | 12 | 9.6 | 5.1–16.2 |
| To look at healthy living information or stop smoking information | 16 | 12.8 | 7.5–20.0 |
| Effect of NHS Choices on frequency of GP visits | |||
| Decreases the number of visits I make | 23 | 18.4 | 12.0–26.3 |
| Increases the number of visits I make | 2 | 1.6 | 0.2–5.7 |
| Makes no difference | 88 | 70.4 | 61.6–78.2 |
| Did not answer | 12 | 9.6 | 5.1–16.1 |
| Mention of NHS Choices during a GP consultation | |||
| Yes, by the GP/Practice Nurse | 1 | 0.8 | 0.0–4.4 |
| Yes, by patient | 7 | 5.6 | 2.3–11.2 |
| Was NHS Choices used to help with appointment today? | |||
| Yes | 24 | 19.2 | 12.7–27.2 |
| No, did not use Internet for this appointment | 87 | 69.6 | 60.7–77.5 |
| No, use another Internet site | 4 | 3.2 | 0.9–8.0 |
| Did not answer | 10 | 8.0 | 3.9–14.2 |