Scottish patients who live in socio-economically deprived communities are currently unable to see their GP for long enough to ensure their health needs are met, according to new research Scottish patients who live in socio-economically deprived communities are currently unable to see their GP for long enough to ensure their health needs are met, according to new research.
The study, led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the Universities of Aberdeen and Bath, found that there was a significant unmet healthcare need in socioeconomically deprived areas, with patients with multiple long-term health conditions most negatively impacted.
Published in the BMJ Open, the study included 150 GP practices in Scotland - 80 practices in deprived areas and 70 in less deprives areas - and looked at the amount of "This large study shows that there is a significant unmet need in for patients who live in socioeconomically deprived areas. Indeed, for GPs in more socioeconomically deprived areas to give an equal amount of direct contact time to patients with the same level of need as patients in less deprived areas, it would require a 14% increase in patient contact time."
Professor David Ellis from The University of Bath added "This research confirms the role GP care has in perpetuating health inequalities. In response, GP provision in socioeconomically deprived areas would require more resources to deliver the same standard of care to patients across Scotland."
Patients in deprived areas are unable to see their GP for long enough
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