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- Page navigation anchor for Continuity of careContinuity of care
We welcome the entry to the continuity literature of new ideas from Oxford.1 They rightly start with the element of a therapeutic relationship characterised “by attentiveness, trust and positive regard”, which we support. They propose ‘disease episode’ as a new element in continuity and certainly episodic continuity is much better than a patient seeing a succession of different GPs. However, patients experience multiple episodes over their lifetime and continuity across episodes is even better. Focussing on episodes is a limited approach to continuity.
Reference
1. Ladds E and Greenhalgh T. Modernising continuity: a new conceptual framework. Br J Gen Pract 2023; 73(731):246-248.Competing Interests: None declared. - Page navigation anchor for Hybrid communication for the sustainability of continuity of careHybrid communication for the sustainability of continuity of care
Establishing rapport can be vital for the continuity of care, leading to a better quality of care. As this study shows, the established rapport and relationship between physicians and patients can enhance the continuity of care in distant communication.1 However, new rapport itself cannot be established only in distant communications, so new methods in the post-COVID-19 era may be needed.
A new establishment of rapport demands face-to-face communication. As the methods, hybrid communication for establishing and sustaining rapport can be suggested. Older people have difficulty using digital devices, impinging on communications.2 They have an affinity for face-to-face communication. Face-to-face communication should drive the establishment of rapport.3 On the other hand, regular follow-up can be done in distance communications to sustain the continuity of care with intermittent face-to-face communication.1 Hybrid methods of face-to-face and distant communications should be driven to sustain continuity of care. The balance between face-to-face and distant communications should be investigated to prepare for the next pandemic demanding distant communications.References
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1. Ladds E, Khan M, Moore L, Kalin A, Greenhalgh T. The impact of remote care approaches on continuity in primary care: a mixed-studies systematic review. Br J Gen Pract 2023. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2022.0398.
2. Mirzaei...Competing Interests: None declared.