Continuity of Care and Patient Satisfaction in a Family Practice Clinic

URL:

Abstract:

Continuity is a tenant central to family practice. Continuity is associated with improved satisfaction in populations that can easily change providers. However, little is known about the importance of continuity where patients are assigned providers. A pretested survey was distributed to patients of a family practice residency clinic in a military medical center for a week's period. The survey showed that patient satisfaction is associated with continuity, especially for high clinic users. Although continuity is important, a subset of patients values the ability to see other providers and to change providers.