March 25th 2025

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Rural patients among the most satisfied

Rural patients are among the most satisfied with access to GP services, a new study has found.

Published in the BJGP, Relationship between the volume and type of appointments in general practice and patient experience: an observational study in England  finds that satisfaction with access to GP services is associated with rurality, older age, ethnic group (mixed, Black) and less deprivation. 

Asian ethnic groups, the unemployed and those claiming sickness benefits reported being less supported with health condition(s).

The analysis of 5,278 practices showed higher satisfaction with more face-to-face GP appointments, rather than volume of same-day appointments (with the wider team). It found that nurse and direct patient contact (DPC) staff are negatively associated with ability to see the preferred GP. DPC staff were also associated with poorer reporting of support with health condition(s).

The authors conclude that patients’ concept of good access to general practice encompasses more than just getting a quick appointment: the mode of appointments and professional consulted are also linked to patient satisfaction. The research also reveals mixed evidence regarding the acceptability of remote consultations.

This is the second study in a month to highlight the value of rural GP services. Earlier this month, dispensing patients' satisfaction was published in Health Equity Evidence Centre. 

• The value of face-to-face GP appointments has been debated in Parliament.