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Observational Study
. 2023 Nov 30;73(737):e932-e940.
doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0150. Print 2023 Dec.

Uptake and adoption of the NHS App in England: an observational study

Sukriti Kc  1 , Salina Tewolde  1 , Anthony A Laverty  1 , Céire Costelloe  2 , Chrysanthi Papoutsi  3 , Claire Reidy  3 , Bernard Gudgin  4 , Craig Shenton  5 , Azeem Majeed  1 , John Powell  3 , Felix Greaves  6
Affiliations
Observational Study

Uptake and adoption of the NHS App in England: an observational study

Sukriti Kc et al. Br J Gen Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Technological advances have led to the use of patient portals that give people digital access to their personal health information. The NHS App was launched in January 2019 as a 'front door' to digitally enabled health services.

Aim: To evaluate patterns of uptake of the NHS App, subgroup differences in registration, and the impact of COVID-19.

Design and setting: An observational study using monthly NHS App user data at general-practice level in England was conducted.

Method: Descriptive statistics and time-series analysis explored monthly NHS App use from January 2019-May 2021. Interrupted time-series models were used to identify changes in the level and trend of use of different functionalities, before and after the first COVID-19 lockdown. Negative binomial regression assessed differences in app registration by markers of general-practice level sociodemographic variables.

Result: Between January 2019 and May 2021, there were 8 524 882 NHS App downloads and 4 449 869 registrations, with a 4-fold increase in App downloads when the COVID Pass feature was introduced. Analyses by sociodemographic data found 25% lower registrations in the most deprived practices (P<0.001), and 44% more registrations in the largest sized practices (P<0.001). Registration rates were 36% higher in practices with the highest proportion of registered White patients (P<0.001), 23% higher in practices with the largest proportion of 15-34-year-olds (P<0.001) and 2% lower in practices with highest proportion of people with long-term care needs (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The uptake of the NHS App substantially increased post-lockdown, most significantly after the NHS COVID Pass feature was introduced. An unequal pattern of app registration was identified, and the use of different functions varied. Further research is needed to understand these patterns of inequalities and their impact on patient experience.

Keywords: electronic health records; general practice; patient portals.

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Conflict of interest statement

Felix Greaves and John Powell are also employed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Sukriti KC and Salina Tewolde are joint first authors.

Figures

Figure 1a.
Figure 1a.
Monthly cumulative NHS App registrations and downloads. Figure 1b. Monthly new NHS App registrations and downloads.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Login sessions and appointments booked time series and interrupted time series (January 2019 — May 2021).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
GP health records viewed and prescriptions ordered time series and interrupted time series (January 2019–May 2021).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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