Seeing the identical GP every time has its advantages, and is more necessary than it sounds. Oh Milestone Review A study of 1.4 million patients worldwide found that those that didn’t see the identical doctor usually were more more likely to die over a time frame. This ongoing relationship with a health care provider is named “continuity of care.”
Many of the benefits of this approach probably stem from the undeniable fact that Drs Collect knowledge about a person patient, which they later use for consultation.
However, despite Strong evidence While continuity of care is one of the crucial cost-effective strategies in medical practice today, it’s declining significantly in each the UK and the US.
There is considerable evidence that continuity of care has many advantages beyond reducing the danger of death. For example, in case you see the identical doctor at each visit, you will probably be less more likely to be hospitalized or go to the emergency department. You will even have a greater relationship together with your doctor and be prescribed essentially the most appropriate medication (and stick with your prescribed medication).
And these advantages are seen in just about all common health conditions, including dementia, diabetes, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, and in numerous patient groups, equivalent to elderly patients and youngsters.
For individuals with dementia – around 1 million people within the UK – the advantages of seeing the identical doctor on the clinic or at home are particularly good. In one 2022 studyfound that folks who saw the identical doctor, in comparison with those that saw many alternative GPs, were 35% less more likely to have delirium, 57% less more likely to be incontinent and 57% less more likely to be admitted to hospital. was 10 percent less likely. emergency
These are necessary differences – it's necessary to consider that patients rarely have dementia. And amongst those over 65 Diagnosed with Dementia65% will suffer from hypertension, 34% from depression, 27% from heart disease and 22% from diabetes.
Why is continuity of care declining? There are quite a few explanations. Patients and doctors have gotten increasingly mobile, solo GP practice is becoming rarer, the variety of patients with chronic diseases is increasing, family doctors are moving into large group practices, and on-call services have gotten increasingly organized. what’s being done But the true killer? Patients and administrators prioritize accessibility over continuity.
What may be done about it? Fall treatments are surprisingly uncomplicated. It may be measured and there are proven methods to enhance it, not least the usage of GP “personal lists” (lists of patients seen only by a GP) and priority care. Re-emphasis on continuity. In other words, changing skilled attitudes and behavior in primary care.
Addressing the issue of polypharmacy
But perhaps the best advantage of continuity of care is that personalised, single GP care leads to widespread “de-escalation”, meaning stopping medicines which might be causing harm or aren’t any longer useful. I’m
Polypharmacy (overprescribing and taking multiple drugs on account of inappropriate prescribing) is widespread. It could be very expensive and leads to losses.
By age 65, the common person has one chronic condition and one or two prescriptions. By 75, they’ve two to 3 chronic conditions and 5 – 6 prescriptions. By 85, they’ve 4 to 6 chronic conditions and 20 prescriptions per day. Polypharmacy has increased. at least 30% within the last three a long time and is incredibly harmful to health.
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As the population ages and long-term conditions increase, health care costs will inevitably rise. Healthcare administrators and planners look to ever costlier technologies to cut back these costs. But continuity of care is a proven, reliable and cost-effective solution that may slip through their fingers.
For you and I, the regular patient, we must ask for it. It's price discussing together with your GP practice – either with the practice manager, the receptionist or, better of all, together with your regular GP. The advantages will probably be astounding. It could even save your life.