Table 3 Main Duties undertaken by receptionist and self-reported clinically oriented duties
From: Understanding the invisible workforce: lessons for general practice from a survey of receptionists
GP Receptionist's Tasks | ||||||
Number of respondents n=67 (%)a | ||||||
Administrative duties | Arranging appointments | Talking to patients (in any capacity) | Dealing with difficult patients | Repeat prescribing | Reporting test results | Other roles |
67 (95.7) | 67 (95.7) | 66 (94.3) | 63 (90.0) | 43 (61.4) | 42 (60.0) | 31 (44.3) |
Self- Reported Clinically Orientated Duties | ||||||
Number of respondents n=39 (%)a | ||||||
Triaging patients when booking appointments | Adding new medication (subject to GP approval), amending prescriptions | Reporting test results, changes in medication or diagnosis | Answering general medical queries, discussing medication with patients | Dealing with discharge paperwork | Chaperoning patients | Testing blood and urine |
14 (35.9) | 9 (23.1) | 6 (15.4) | 5 (12.8) | 2 (5.1) | 2 (5.1) | 1 (2.6) |