The 1990 contract: have patients noticed?

We carried out a questionnaire survey in a Semi-urban General Practice in Renfrewshire to evaluate patients' knowledge and understanding of changes to General Practitioner services six months after implementation of 'The 1990 Contract'. The survey assessed the point prevalence of patients' knowledge in an opportunity sample. A total of 237 patients attending morning surgery during one week in September 1990 were asked to complete a short questionnaire. Despite 38% of respondents declaring they were aware of the changes, only 10% of the respondents showed evidence of understanding of the changes. There was a lack of perceived usefulness of Well Person Checks despite a relatively good understanding of what this involves. Most of the recent changes in General Practice were perceived as being useful or extremely useful to patients after they had been explained. It is suggested that further publicity with careful targeting and explanation is required before the public can make appropriate and effective use of these changes.