7 July 2005 - Publication of dwp research report 256: Key Findings and Publication of DWP Research: Engaging physicians benefiting patients: a qualitative study
A research report published today by the Department for Work and Pensions provides findings from an evaluation of the communications strategy which formed part of the Engaging Physicians, Benefiting Patients pilot. The study also presents GPs' views towards their role in the provision of medical evidence for the Department to process a claim for Incapacity Benefit, focusing on the completion of the IB113 form.
Interviews were conducted with 25 GPs and 18 Practice Managers in the pilot area of the North East of England.
Key Findings
- IB113s were not seen as high priority for GPs compared to clinical duties, which they found more satisfying, or compared to other forms for which they received payment.
- Some GPs felt that opinion as well as fact was being asked for in the IB113 and some had difficulty accessing the information required.
- GPs reported attempting to convey to the DWP Decision Makers their opinion on whether a person was fit for work or not. Examples of this included omitting data, using key phrases, using ‘patient reported’ data and underlining.
- GPs found it more difficult to complete forms relating to ‘subjective’ health conditions such as mental health problems and musculoskeletal disorders.
- There was a general lack of understanding about the IB113 process. In particular, GPs were not sure who reads the form in DWP- GPs often did not know that another doctor would read the form.
- Some GPs were aware of DWP’s medical website but there was limited interest or use of the IB204 and desk aids. DVDs and Medical Services contact numbers were not used at all.
- Those GPs who attended a presentation benefited from the face to face nature of the contact with Medical Services and stated that they had a better understanding of some aspects of the IB113 process.
- Suggestions made by doctors for improvements to the process included an electronic IB113 form; a method of communicating, in confidence, to the DWP and some kind of feedback to confirm that forms had been received and how the information had been used.
Notes to Editors
- Form IB113 is a factual medical report provided by the certifying doctor to a DWP medical officer about a patient who is claiming a state incapacity benefit. The report is requested only in certain cases and the certifying doctor is required to complete it based on information already available to them.
- Engaging physicians benefiting patients: a qualitative study by Julia Hiscock, Paula Hodgson, Sarah Peters, Debra Westlake and Mark Gabbay is published today in the DWP Research Report Series: report number 256.
- A summary and copy of the report are available on the DWP website: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/
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