Why seeing the same GP 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 1.4 million patients from countries including Britain, 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, from the University of Exeter Medical School, will cause concern as most patients are now unable to see the same GP at each appointment because surgeries are so short-staffed.

Hospitals are also understaffed and patients at specialist outpatient clinics often see different junior doctors rather than the consultant supervising their care as a matter of course.

The study’s lead author Denis Pereira Gray 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 with just 8% of those who saw the same doctor every time.

Meanwhile, a British 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 say they are unable to offer patients continuity of care as their surgeries are understaffed and struggling to cope with the demand.

Increasing numbers of family doctors are also choosing to work part-time and the gaps are being filled by locums. Last month, a study 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 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.

‘This is making it increasingly difficult for patients to access our services and unfortunately, waiting to see “their” GP means patients may have to wait even longer for an appointment.’

THE issue has been raised by worried doctors across Ireland who have previously warned that rural patients could soon be left without a GP at all, never mind one that they know, as hundreds are set to retire.

Dr Patrick McGarry, chairman of Irish Medical Organisation GP committee, said: ‘The loss of general practice in rural areas is similar to the loss of many services in rural Ireland.

‘We have an increasingly older population of GPs facing retirement and young GPs are not prepared to come in under present circumstances of excessive hours and poor supports.

‘It’s not good for patients. The essence of general practice is continuity of care and knowing your own doctor.

‘If you have a retired GP being replaced by a locum who rotates every four to six months, you are going to lose that personal, valuable knowledge.’