Seeing the same GP better for patients and doctors, study says

The benefits were especially apparent in older people and those with multiple chronic illnesses or with mental health condition, according to the study

Continually seeing the same doctor at GP surgeries improves patient health and reduces workload, according to a study.

University of Cambridge researchers found patients who had long-term relationships with their doctor experienced a range of benefits.

Study co-author Prof Stefan Scholtes said this practice reduced future workloads by "preventing revisits".

About 10 million GP consultations were analysed over 11 years in the research.

The study, jointly conducted by the Cambridge Judge Business School and INSEAD business school in Fontainebleau, France, found people waited on average 18% longer between visits, compared with patients who saw different doctors.

Lead author Dr Harshita Kajaria-Montag, who is now based at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in the US, said: "If you're a patient with complex health needs, you don't want to have to explain your whole health history at every appointment.

"If you have a regular doctor who's familiar with your history, it's a far more efficient use of time, for doctor and patient."

More than 10 million anonymised GP consultations from 381 practices in England were analysed over 11 years

The benefits of the model known as continuity of care were especially apparent in older people and those with multiple chronic illnesses or with mental health conditions, according to the study published in the journal Management Science.

The research involved 381 practices in England using anonymised data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2017.

The data was limited to patients who had at least three consultations over the past two years.

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Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, vice-chairwoman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said "continuity of care is highly valued by GPs and patients alike" but family doctors were facing "intense workload and workforce pressures".

She said: "Political agendas prioritising speedy access to GP services above all else... greatly limit the level of continuity we can offer."

A fully-qualified GP is now responsible for 260 more patients than they were six years ago and "makes guaranteed access to the same GP for every patient practically impossible," she added.

The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment.