Why seeing the same doctor every time could save your life
Patients are open about symptoms, trusting of medical advice and prescriptions from familiar GP
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 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 are from the University of Exeter Medical School. The study’s lead author Sir 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.’
One US study found nearly a fifth of diabetes patients – 18.5 per cent – who saw different GPs died within three years. This compared to just 8 per cent of those who saw the same doctor every time.
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.
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.’
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.’
The research was published in the journal BMJ Open.