Abstract
Introduction As reliance on technology for many daily activities, including healthcare increases, so do the barriers and potential marginalisation for people who are not digitally enabled. Here we report specific, descriptive epidemiological findings of patients who are digitally disconnected from primary care services. Landlines will be disconnected in 2027, meaning that people who rely on their landline will become totally disconnected from primary care unless alternative connection is provided.
Aim To determine the impact of digital disconnection on access to primary care.
Method Retrospective cohort study of CIPHA data for patients in St Helens, North-West England (n = 201 129). Digital disconnection defined as absence of mobile phone number and email address in the GP records.
Results Total disconnection from primary care 2382 (1.2%). Landline connection only 9185 (4.6%). Digital disconnection rate 5.8% (n = 11 567). The rate increased if <18year olds were excluded. Most frequently affected age group ≥80 years: 4609 (39.9%). >50% live in most deprived deciles: IMD 1–4: 7387 (64%). Rates of disconnection peak for those with no long-term conditions or extreme levels of multimorbidity: 0 long-term conditions (LTCs): 3781 (32.7%), ≥8 LTCs: 934 (8.1%). Rates of GP consultation are significantly lower, with greater proportion of home visits.
Conclusion Digital disconnection from primary care affects significant number of patients, is likely to affect the whole family and is marked with the extreme of old age and social deprivation. Analysis of GP consultation patterns reveal lower rates, despite higher levels of multimorbidity in this population. Analysis of secondary care use is ongoing. Patterns and association will aid local healthcare providers to tailor services for better health outcomes
