Prodigy Press Release
Source: http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GDH/GDH.html
Prodigy Homepage: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/~nphcare/PRODIGY/homepage.htm
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
96/256 29 July 1996
NEW TRIALS FOR GP COMPUTER INITIATIVE
A new computer system which provides GPs with clinical advice and
prescribing options has been given the green light for more in-depth
trials.
Further work on the PRODIGY system (Prescribing Rationally with
Decision-support in General Practice Study) will take place between
January and March 1997 and build on a Research and Development
programme involving 137 GP Practices in England and five clinical
computing companies. The GPs have been testing the prototype system
in the day to day treatment of patients. PRODIGY not only provides
advice on pharmaceutical prescribing but also suggests options for
non-drug treatments. GPs are able to use the system to assist in
decision making and recommendations can be ignored or adjusted to
suit a patients needs.
The next phase of the PRODIGY will involve testing enhanced versions
of computer software and therapeutic recommendations.
Gerald Malone, Minister for Health, said:
"The PRODIGY research has broken though the frontiers in computer
based support for General Practice. I am encouraged by the early
results and the enthusiasm amongst GPs involved in the trial for the
next round of studies."
Work on the mechanisms required for implementation will continue.
Final evaluation on PRODIGY is due in Autumn 1997 and a decision will
then be taken on whether to proceed on a wider basis.
Notes for Editors:
1. An interim report and index of therapeutic recommendations have
been sent to a wide range of professional bodies, patient groups and
the pharmaceutical industry. Copies are available from Richard
O'Brien, Room 3N14 Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE.
2. The software companies involved in the PRODIGY project are AAH
Meditel, EMIS, Genisyst, Medical Care Systems and VAMP Health.
3. The therapeutic recommendations were drawn up by the former
Medical Advisers Support Centre (MASC), whose role was to provide
support and education, and to disseminate best practice to medical
and pharmaceutical advisers, in their role in improving the quality
and cost effectiveness of GP prescribing . The recommendations were
validated by a group of two GPs, a clinical pharmacologist and a
pharmacist nominated by the General Medical Services Committee, Royal
College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Physicians and the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain respectively.
Evaluation is being carried out by the Sowerby Unit for Primary
Health Care Informatics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
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