Access to care and its impact on personal provider continuity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Good and appropriate access to care is a prerequisite to achieving personal provider continuity. With changes within health care systems and the changing work patterns of doctors in many countries, access to a personal provider is no longer guaranteed. Yet, there may be a number of other reasons why patients either seek care from their usual provider or decide not to get care from one provider on a regular basis. Up to date study in contrasting primary care settings will help elucidate this issue. Aim. To identify patients' reasons for seeking care from a particular primary care doctor in four countries. METHODS: Pilot survey in typical general practice settings in Australia, the UK, Hong Kong and Germany. The one-page questionnaire includes: demographics, socio-economic status, access to care and doctor-patient stability, general health, morbidity profile, patient's consideration to see a particular doctor, relationship with their usual provider and trust in their usual provider. RESULTS: Preliminary findings confirm that this is a very live issue for patients today. Full analysis will be available in September 2004. DISCUSSION: This pilot study seems likely to clarify the nature of patients' priorities for personal continuity in primary care in the new millennium. We expect to justify a more extensive and definitive study in a wider range of primary care settings.