RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Interpersonal continuity of care: a cross-sectional survey of primary care patients' preferences and their experiences
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 283
OP 290
VO 57
IS 537
A1 Richard Baker
A1 Mary Boulton
A1 Kate Windridge
A1 Carolyn Tarrant
A1 John Bankart
A1 George K Freeman
YR 2007
UL http://bjgp.org/content/57/537/283.abstract
AB Background Developments in primary care may make the provision of interpersonal continuity more difficult.Aim To identify those patients who regard interpersonal continuity as important and determine what makes it difficult for them to obtain this.Design of study Cross sectional survey.Setting Twenty-two practices and a walk-in centre in West London and Leicestershire, UK.Method Administration of a questionnaire on preferences for and experiences of interpersonal and informational continuity. Interpersonal continuity was defined in three questions: choosing a particular person; choosing someone known and trusted; and choosing someone who knows the patient and medical condition.Results One thousand four hundred and thirty-seven (46.5%) patients responded. Consulting someone known and trusted was important to 766 (62.6%) responders, although 105 (13.7%) of these reported that they had not experienced it at their last consultation. Seven hundred and eighty-eight (65.2%) responders regarded being able to consult a particular person as important, but 168 (21.3%) of these were unable to. Being in work and consulting for a new problem were associated with failing to obtain interpersonal continuity. Ethnic group was associated with failing to see someone with time to listen when this was preferred.Conclusion In view of the response rate, which was particularly low among young males, some caution is required in applying the findings. Most patients experience the aspects of care important to them, although interpersonal continuity is important to many and certain groups find difficulty in obtaining it. Practices should have flexible appointment systems to account for the difficulties some patients have in negotiating for the type of care they want.