Podcast – Catherine Pope – Access to General Practice: What Works, What Lasts, and Why

About this episode

The episode discusses access to general practice with a focus on sustainability and patient-centered models.

In this episode, Ben is joined by Catherine Pope, Professor of Medical Sociology at Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, to explore how access to general practice really works in practice and what happens to appointment systems over time. Drawing on over 30 years of research and findings from a recent study, the discussion examines the sustainability of different access models, the legacy of initiatives such as Advanced Access, and why practices continually adapt systems to manage demand. The episode explores the limitations of top-down, standardised and digital first solutions, the impact of access systems on patients, reception teams and clinicians, and why variation is often necessary to meet the needs of local populations. The conversation also highlights patient experiences of navigating access, the risks of diversion and looping between services, creative approaches such as the ‘Phones and Ladders’ game to illustrate access challenges, and the case for more patient-centred, locally adaptable models that prioritise need, continuity and sustainable general practice. Introduction (00:08) Your recent study on access to general practice (01:00) Did…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Gowland

Guest: Catherine Pope

Topics covered

• access to general practice
• appointment systems
• sustainability of access models
• patient experiences
• local population needs
• healthcare systems

Keywords

• general practice
• access models
• appointment systems
• patient-centered care
• healthcare sustainability
• medical sociology
• local adaptability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

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