Doctors are finding their ability to assess patients is being compromised because they are unable to spend enough time with them. This is according to new research released by Aviva UK Health.
Over half of the GPs questioned (57%) in the Aviva study said that they have less time to see their patients than they did five years ago. Worryingly, only 7% of GPs feel a lack of time with a patient does not affect their ability to do their job.
While nine in ten GPs (89%) feel that they should take up to 20 minutes to see each patient, current practice is to schedule doctors’ appointments for 10 minutes each, falling way short of the mark. Additional research conducted by Aviva UK Health last month showed that nearly two-thirds (63%) of consumers thought that NHS appointments were always rushed. Furthermore, half of GPs (50%) said a lack of time with their patients definitely affects their ability to do their job and a further 43% said it makes it harder for them to come to an accurate diagnosis.
