Researchers urge policymakers to study regions with high continuity and apply those practices where GP shortages and mobility are high.
Researchers urge policymakers to study regions with high continuity and apply those practices where GP shortages and mobility are high.
“Continuity is crucial for safety, quality, and efficiency,” says Peder Ahnfeldt-Mollerup, GP. Frequent switchers point to a structural issue.
“Continuity is crucial for safety, quality, and efficiency,” says Peder Ahnfeldt-Mollerup, GP. Frequent switchers point to a structural issue.
Continuity loss increases risks: repeated tests, outdated treatments, missed follow-ups. Only rarely is a “fresh perspective” beneficial.
Continuity loss increases risks: repeated tests, outdated treatments, missed follow-ups. Only rarely is a “fresh perspective” beneficial.
Continuity loss increases risks: repeated tests, outdated treatments, missed follow-ups. Only rarely is a “fresh perspective” beneficial.
Continuity loss increases risks: repeated tests, outdated treatments, missed follow-ups. Only rarely is a “fresh perspective” beneficial.
Chronically ill patients—who need steady care—were surprisingly prone to switching GPs. This contradicts expectations and raises concern.
Chronically ill patients—who need steady care—were surprisingly prone to switching GPs. This contradicts expectations and raises concern.
Even after adjusting for age, illness, and income, patients in Capital Region/Zealand had more discontinuity—suggesting systemic causes.
Even after adjusting for age, illness, and income, patients in Capital Region/Zealand had more discontinuity—suggesting systemic causes.
Researchers suggest structural or organizational factors support this stability and recommend applying those lessons elsewhere.
Researchers suggest structural or organizational factors support this stability and recommend applying those lessons elsewhere.
Patients in “intermediate” municipalities—neither clearly rural nor urban—had the highest continuity and fewest changes.
Patients in “intermediate” municipalities—neither clearly rural nor urban—had the highest continuity and fewest changes.
Study data from 4.5M Danes: most had 1–2 GP changes. But young adults and residents of Capital Region & Zealand switched far more often.
Study data from 4.5M Danes: most had 1–2 GP changes. But young adults and residents of Capital Region & Zealand switched far more often.
“This increases the risk of errors and makes the healthcare system less efficient,” says Troels Kristensen, assoc. professor and health economist.
“This increases the risk of errors and makes the healthcare system less efficient,” says Troels Kristensen, assoc. professor and health economist.
Reasons for switching: moving, clinic closure, or patient choice. Repeated changes risk losing continuity, medical knowledge, and trust—undermining care.
Reasons for switching: moving, clinic closure, or patient choice. Repeated changes risk losing continuity, medical knowledge, and trust—undermining care.
Groups more likely to switch GPs include: low income, low education, unemployed, non-Danish ethnicities, and those with chronic illness or living in certain regions.
Groups more likely to switch GPs include: low income, low education, unemployed, non-Danish ethnicities, and those with chronic illness or living in certain regions.
A new SDU study shows patients with low socioeconomic status, chronic illness, or who live in Capital Region/Zealand change GPs more often—harming continuity, care quality, and equality.
A new SDU study shows patients with low socioeconomic status, chronic illness, or who live in Capital Region/Zealand change GPs more often—harming continuity, care quality, and equality.
Yes, this is a New nationwide study in BJGP Open:
Vulnerable patients experience more discontinuity in general practice — especially those with chronic conditions or lower socioeconomic status.
See press release comments below:
Yes, this is a New nationwide study in BJGP Open:
Vulnerable patients experience more discontinuity in general practice — especially those with chronic conditions or lower socioeconomic status.
See press release comments below: