The National Programme for IT in England: Clinicians’ views on the impact of the Choose and Book service

Abstract

In England, the Choose and Book service, a main component of the England National Programme for IT (NPfIT), aims at empowering patients. Little research has been performed to evaluate clinicians’ perceptions of, and satisfaction with, the Choose and Book service. The aim of the research was to examine clinicians’ perceptions of, and satisfaction with, the Choose and Book service. A qualitative approach, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews, was used to collect data. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Twenty clinicians were interviewed, including 14 general practitioners (GPs) and six hospital consultants. Although clinicians were positive about the benefits of the Choose and Book service, they were concerned about the adverse impact of the electronic referral process on their job. Paying attention to the impact of the service on clinicians’ jobs, at both ends of the process, could help to improve the referral process and the use of the system.