Information for GPs

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Information for GPs

At present only data from practices using Vision software are collected for inclusion in the GPRD.

Reasons to contribute to GPRD

As a Vision user, or a practice considering choosing Vision, there are four excellent reasons for becoming a contributor to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Over 500 practices already contribute to the GPRD – the largest and most complete database of anonymised, longitudinal patient records from general practice.

  1. Medical Research

    GPRD research has already made an important contribution to the resolution of critical drug safety issues and has also been used for studies on patterns of consultation, treatment and health outcomes. Over 700 scientific papers based on GPRD have been published in high quality, peer-reviewed journals.

    View our Bibliography


  2. Valuable Data Feedback Services

    These services will make available reports to contributing GPs which will assist the practice in improving the quality of the patient care record and its data for the Quality and Outcomes Framework. Current feedback reports include:

  3. Assured Practice and Patient Confidentiality

    The anonymity of GPs and patients is assured. All patient data received by the GPRD Group is de-personalised and patient IDs in the Vision system are encrypted. The MHRA has statutory responsibilities to safeguard public health and is committed to ensuring that GP and patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. The GPRD software programme used to extract information does not collect any structured identifiable information. In addition, researchers using GPRD never have access to any information that could identify patients, their doctors or general practice.


  4. Financial Benefits

    The GPRD will pay 10 pence per patient, per annum. We:

    • pay quarterly
    • commence payment after the first data collection has been quality assured (NB If the data quality is not acceptable for the database; further collections may be sought and checked before payments are initiated).
    The payments are not to be offset against any other reimbursement to GPs (GPRD can supply documentation confirming this if necessary). Practices will also be given the opportunity to generate additional income for their practice by participating in scientifically and ethically approved public health research.