NHS General Practice in England faces multiple challenges, including skill shortages, staff retention, increased workloads, and financial burdens. Various strategies have been proposed to ameliorate these challenges, from increasing financial investments and renewing infrastructure to reorganising and redesigning staff. There is certainly no single solution that will create a robust, sustainable, and high performing general practice of the future.
The research program detailed in this report outlines the development and interpretation of an evidence base to inform the conversation about the use of technological support within primary care. Specifically, to what extent can currently available automation technologies be applied in general practice? And, what kinds of work conducted by which type of staff are most amiable to automation? By understanding the scope of automation and the location of where to best apply potential technologies, primary care organisations, policy makers, and industry can make an informed decision on work digitisation and workforce transformation.
Former Researcher
Dr Willis is investigating the potential needs and uses of automation technologies in NHS Primary Care, and how automation will shape the future design of work in healthcare. He continues to work closely with OII Senior Fellow Professor Eric Meyer.
Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
DPhil Student, Machine Learning Research Group, University of Oxford
Dyson Associate Professor in Machine Learning, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
Senior Fellow
Eric T. Meyer is a Senior Fellow of the Oxford Internet Institute. His research looks at the changing nature of knowledge creation in science, medicine, social science, arts, and humanities as technology is embedded in everyday practices.
Senior Research Scientist, Health Services Research Unit (HSRU)