TY - JOUR T1 - The National Programme for Information Technology JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 85 LP - 86 VL - 55 IS - 511 AU - Nicola Shaw AU - Gergely Hegedus Y1 - 2005/02/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/55/511/85.abstract N2 - When Vannevar Bush described a process for making and following links between documents on microfiche in 1945,1 did he have any idea that his suggestion would revolutionise the promulgation of information through society via what has become the internet? Chances are that he did not.The invention of the internet has shown us how important a single change in the medium of information can be. The National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) has the potential to produce an equally significant impact in reforming the way that patient records are transcribed, transmitted and stored. More importantly, it has the potential to change forever the way in which health care is provided. We seem to be impervious to the implications of this change.The rationale behind the development of NPfIT is a compelling one. The demands of the 21st century are often more than current healthcare systems can handle. Governments are beginning to realise that the utilisation of modern technologies is necessary in order to cope with these growing demands2. As a result, NPfIT has captured the attention of international political, medical and public communities alike. It is human nature to be drawn towards what is new. In doing so, we often overlook the potential detractors of whatever it is that draws our attention.Inevitably, the major concerns GPs have about the impact of NPfIT focus on choice of systems and potential disruption to current service. However, what doesn't seem to be recognised is that the vision of the health service that underpins … ER -