Studies have already shown benefits to seeing the same doctor including better vaccination rates, fewer hospital admissions and patients following medical advice more closely.
Now researchers say it could even save your life.
How?
A UK review of 22 studies published since 2010 on whether patients saw the same doctor and their outcomes has found a clear link between continuity of care and lower death rates.
It doesn’t matter whether they are GP’s or specialists either – the same benefits still applied.
The human side of medicine
It makes sense. We all feel more comfortable discussing our problems with a doctor we trust, and our GP’s have more knowledge about us so they can provide better advice.
The majority of aged care homes encourage residents to keep seeing the same GP when they enter aged care for this reason. Residents are also often assigned a ‘team’ of healthcare professionals which also ensure they are cared for by the same people.
So it’s worth looking around for a doctor that you click with. The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners has some good advice on choosing a GP here.
