TY - JOUR T1 - Online and telephone access to general practice: a cross sectional patient survey JF - BJGP Open JO - BJGP Open DO - 10.3399/BJGPO.2020.0179 SP - BJGPO.2020.0179 AU - Carol Bryce AU - Matthew DL. O'Connell AU - Jeremy Dale AU - Martin Underwood AU - Helen Atherton Y1 - 2021/04/21 UR - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2021/04/23/BJGPO.2020.0179.abstract N2 - Background Improving access to primary healthcare in the United Kingdom has focused on the use of telephone and online access but little is known about how awareness of and use varies between different patient groups.Aim To determine how patients are interacting with telephone and online channels for accessing general practice services and information, and to analyse how this varies according to patient characteristics and health status.Design & setting A cross sectional self-administered survey of adult patients in general practices across the West Midlands, UK.Method Descriptive statistics were used to show participants’ awareness of and interaction with online information sources and remote access. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the relationships between demographic and health characteristics and awareness and use of online services and alternatives to face to face consultations (e.g. telephone).Results 2789 patients (response rate 19.0%) from 43 general practices participated. 60.8% (1651/2715) of participants were aware of online services and 30.3% (811/2674) reported having used one. Daily internet usage and frequently visiting the GP showed the strongest associations with knowledge and use of online services.Conclusion We have shown that there is the potential for inequitable awareness and use of telephone and online services in general practice populations. Given that their use has greatly increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic future service design will need to ensure this is taken into account. ER -