Why seeing the same doctor every time could save your life
PATIENTS who see the same doctor at every appointment are far less likely to die early, a major study has found.
They are more open about their symptoms, more trusting of medical advice and more inclined to take their prescription.
The research looked at 22 studies covering more than 1.4million patients from countries such as the UK, the US, France and the Netherlands.
Eighteen of the studies showed patients were significantly more likely to die in a given period if they had appointments with different doctors or hospital consultants.
The findings were made by a research team at the University of Exeter Medical School in England.
The study’s lead author, Denis Pereira Gray, a former president of the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘Patients have long known that it matters which doctor they see and how well they can communicate with them.
‘Until now, arranging for patients to see the doctor of their choice has been considered a matter of convenience or courtesy. Now it is clear it is about the quality of medical practice and is literally a matter of life and death.’
One US study found nearly a fifth of diabetes patients – 18.5% – who saw different GPs died within three years. This compared to just 8% of those who saw the same doctor every time.
A UK study found patients who were able to see their preferred GP were less likely to die from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a severe lung condition linked to smoking.
However, senior GPs in the UK say they are unable to offer patients continuity of care as their surgeries are understaffed and struggling to cope with the demand. And last year, the Irish Medical Organisation warned in a submission to the Oireachtas committee on health that increases in eligibility for free GP care could jeopardise services.
In November 2017, Dr Pádraig McGarry, vice-president of the IMO, said the introduction of free GP care for children under six had brought in 240,000 extra patients.
‘In the new Sláintecare report, it is recommended that free GP care is extended out to 500,000 additional patients per year,’ he said. ‘As it is currently constituted, this will lead to waiting lists in general practice as demand will outstrip supply.’
In the UK, increasing numbers of family doctors are also choosing to work part-time – particularly millennials – and the gaps are being filled by locums. Last month, a study by the University of Leicester found that just half of patients had a preferred GP – and only half of them were able to see that doctor for most of their appointments.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, of the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘Delivering continuity of care for patients is something GPs strive to do.
‘We know our patients want and value it, as GPs do, and we know that it is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, long-term mental health issues and complex needs. But general practice is currently facing intense resource and workforce pressures, which is making it increasingly difficult for patients to access our services.
‘Unfortunately, waiting to see “their” GP means patients may have to wait even longer for an appointment.’
Dr Richard Vautrey, from the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said: ‘The BMA has for a long time stressed the benefits of continuity of care with patients seeing the same GP or team over time.’