UK newspapers 'on the warpath': media analysis of general practice remote consulting in 2021.
Br J Gen Pract
; 72(725): e907-e915, 2022 12.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2081799
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Following a large-scale, pandemic-driven shift to remote consulting in UK general practice in 2020, 2021 saw a partial return to in-person consultations. This occurred in the context of extreme workload pressures because of backlogs, staff shortages, and task shifting.AIM:
To study media depictions of remote consultations in UK general practice at a time of system stress. DESIGN ANDSETTING:
Thematic analysis of national newspaper articles about remote GP consultations from two time periods 13-26 May 2021, following an NHS England letter, and 14-27 October 2021, following a government-backed directive, both stipulating a return to in-person consulting.METHOD:
Articles were identified through, and retrieved from, LexisNexis. A coding system of themes and narrative devices was developed iteratively to inform data analysis.RESULTS:
In total, 25 articles reported on the letter and 75 on the directive. Newspaper coverage of remote consulting was strikingly negative. The right-leaning press in particular praised the return to in-person consultations, depicting remote care as creating access barriers and compromising safety. Two newspapers led national campaigns pressuring the government to require GPs to offer in-person consultations. GPs were quoted as reluctant to return to an 'in-person by default' service (as it would further pressurise a system already close to breaking point).CONCLUSION:
Remote consultations have become associated in the media with poor practice. Some newspapers were actively leading the 'war' on general practice rather than merely reporting on it. Proactive dialogue between practitioners and the media might help minimise polarisation and improve perceptions around general practice.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Remote Consultation
/
General Practice
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Br J Gen Pract
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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