Older patients seeing their usual GP linked to 21% risk reduction in being hospitalised: Aussie study
Having a regular GP was linked to fewer hospitalisations for falls and fractures, Australian researchers found.
Older patients cared for by their usual GP are up to 21% less likely to be hospitalised or present to the ED than those seeing a new doctor, an Australian study on continuity of care has found.
The benefits for patients seeing their long-term GP included a reduced risk of fractures, unplanned hospitalisations, and hospital visits related to delirium, medication and malnutrition.
The study looked at a cohort of 84,000 Australians over 65 who were living at home but had begun to access Home Care Packages.
In the first six months following home-care entry, 20% continued to see their usual GP, 50% saw a known GP, while 30% saw a new GP.
