Why Continuity of Care is Essential
in General Practice
Continuity of care is one of the most important aspects of effective healthcare in General Practice. It refers to an ongoing, long-term relationship between a patient and their GP, allowing for consistent management of health concerns over time. Research consistently demonstrates that continuity of care leads to better health outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Better Health Outcomes
A Norwegian study involving millions of patients found that individuals who consistently consulted the same GP experienced a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality over 15 years. These patients also had fewer hospital admissions and relied less on after-hours services. This underscores the critical role of sustained doctor-patient relationships in promoting long-term health.
Stronger Doctor-Patient Relationships
Trust is a key component of effective healthcare. A study of nearly 4,000 Norwegian primary care patients revealed that those with a personal patient-doctor relationship were seven times more likely to be satisfied with their consultations compared to those without continuity. A strong, long-term relationship between a GP and a patient encourages open communication, making it easier for patients to discuss symptoms, mental health concerns, or lifestyle issues.
Episodic Care and Its Limitations
While episodic care, where patients see different doctors for each visit, may work in some situations, it has been shown to have limitations in terms of health outcomes. Studies suggest that episodic care leads to poorer management of chronic conditions and less effective preventive care. For example, patients with diabetes who see the same doctor regularly experience better glucose control and fewer complications compared to those who see different providers for each visit. One study found that patients who saw multiple doctors for diabetes management had 33% higher rates of hospitalization for complications than those who saw the same doctor consistently.
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Episodic care often lacks the long-term perspective that continuity of care provides. A GP who sees a patient regularly is better equipped to understand their personal history, lifestyle, and ongoing health needs. In contrast, seeing different doctors can result in fragmented care, missed opportunities for early detection, and a less personalized approach to treatment.
More Efficient Healthcare
Continuity of care reduces unnecessary tests, repeated consultations, and fragmented treatment. Research analysing over 10 million consultations across 381 English GP practices over 11 years found that patients who saw their regular doctor waited 18% longer between visits, indicating better management of ongoing conditions. The study estimated that if all practices provided high continuity of care, it could lead to a 5% reduction in consultations, potentially saving millions of appointments annually.
How Village Health Prioritises Continuity of Care
At Village Health, we deeply value continuity of care. While we offer acute clinics and infectious disease clinics every day to accommodate urgent needs, we also ensure that each GP has on-the-day appointments available. We work hard to make sure that our patients are mostly seen by their own GP, who knows them best and can provide the most personalized and effective care.
Conclusion
In General Practice, continuity of care is not just about convenience—it’s a fundamental aspect of high-quality healthcare. It leads to better patient outcomes, stronger relationships, and a more efficient healthcare system. At Village Health, we remain committed to ensuring that our patients receive consistent, personalized care from the doctors who know them best.