Continuity of care – the principle lying at the heart of general practice – is a matter of life and death, according to a pioneering review that shows seeing the same doctor lowers mortality (death) rates. (BMJ Open 2018; online)
It has long been known that having one regular treating general practitioner (GP) is associated with greater patient satisfaction, improved health promotion, increased adherence to medication and reduced admissions to hospital but what this landmark review shows us is that it can also save our lives.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) upholds the standard of continuity of comprehensive care to patients and one aspect of this is developing a relationship with your regular treating doctor. This strong patient-doctor relationship will improve your health outcomes. Here at QMSC we encourage all patient to have a preferred provider GP and to make appointments with this doctor where possible. When no appointments are available with your preferred GP, then seeing another doctor at times within the same practice will enable continuity of your health information as the doctor can view the health records written by your regular preferred GP.
So here at QMSC we encourage you to have one (or two) regular GPs who know you and get to know your health in detail. This will give you greater satisfaction, and help us keep you out of hospital and living long, healthy lives.
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