“How do you get the right patients to the right person at the right time? How do you stop the GP being the bottleneck in the system? – The resources are changing and practices don’t really know how to best utilise the changing resources that they’ve got.”
With GP practices facing unprecedented demand from an aging population, innovative solutions are transforming how healthcare is delivered. Dr. Smith’s operations management research is pioneering new approaches to help practices effectively utilize expanded healthcare teams and improve patient access.
Transforming healthcare delivery
My research addresses a significant question in modern healthcare: how can GP practices effectively harness new allied health professionals? This can be anyone from physios, paramedics and pharmacists to physician associates, and nurse practitioners. My work looks at developing systematic approaches to move beyond traditional models where all patients must see a GP first.
It’s like moving from craft production to mass production, from the GP who can turn their hand to anything, to understanding how to best utilize specialized skills. This research creates frameworks for getting patients directly to the most appropriate professional for their needs as quickly and as reliably as possible, reducing bottlenecks and improving efficiency.
Evidence-based solutions
Taking a comprehensive approach means I am able to examine not just process improvements, but their impact on patient experience, staff satisfaction, and practice effectiveness. This research identifies successful models already emerging in less overwhelmed practices, where new professionals effectively handle routine clinics and specialized services.
By understanding potential challenges early, such as supervision requirements and staff adaptation, we can help practices proactively address issues rather than react to problems after they arise.
Creating Lasting Impact
The research has produced practical ‘Best practice’ guidelines tailorable to different practice types, showing how to effectively allocate patients based on available staff expertise. These evidence-based recommendations help practices maximize their investment in new healthcare professionals while maintaining quality care.
Beyond immediate operational improvements, this work is contributing to a more sustainable future for primary care. My research provides the framework needed to make expanding healthcare teams successful, ensuring practices can meet growing demand while supporting both patient outcomes and staff wellbeing. This systematic approach to healthcare transformation demonstrates how operational excellence can directly improve community health outcomes.
Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals
UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:
