A prominent GP has taken aim at “simplistic” general practice software that he claims is leading patients to miss out on preventive care.

Dr Oliver Frank says current electronic clinical record systems need updating to send patients automated texts before consults to let them know about screening and other preventative healthcare activities.

Currently most on-screen prompts for GPs are a simple ‘X is due now’ and do not include reminders about national priority and important health programs, Dr Frank says.

“On-screen reminders to GPs are simplistic and easily overlooked, and no reminders are sent automatically to patients,” he writes in the Australian Journal of Primary Health.