The power of personal care: the value of the patient-GP consultation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic shift from face-to-face to remote consulting within general practice. There have been some important gains in terms of travelling for patients and flexible working for general practice teams. However, there have been losses too. Urgent GP cancer referrals were estimated to be at 42% in April 2020 compared with the year before.1 Digital-first approaches, now widespread, can paradoxically increase overall GP workload and a recent study warns of extra GP work by up to a third.2 Vigilance and open minds are needed.\n\nAs we move forward and while preparing for a busy winter, it is timely to decide which changes should be kept and under what conditions. Research has illuminated the considerable value of the human side of general practice. Over 20 years ago we learned that longer consultations and the patient knowing the GP are significantly associated with enablement — an important outcome …