Michael Wright1, Jane Hall2, Kees van Gool3, Marion Haas4. 1. MBBS, MSc, PhD candidate, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Haymarket, NSW. michael.wright@chere.uts.edu.au. 2. PhD, Distinguished Professor, Health Economics, University Technology Sydney Business School, Haymarket, NSW; Director Strategy, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation; Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia; Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Social Sciences. 3. PhD, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Haymarket, NSW. 4. PhD, Professor of Health Economics, Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Haymarket, NSW.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Australians can seek general practice care from multiple general practitioners (GPs) in multiple locations. This provides high levels of patient choice but may reduce continuity of care. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of attendance at multiple general practices in Australia, and identify patient characteristics associated with multiple practice attendances. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of 2477 Australian adults was conducted online in July 2013. Respondents reported whether they had attended more than one general practice in the past year, and whether they had a usual general practice and GP. Demographic information, health service use and practice characteristics were also obtained from the survey. RESULTS: Over one-quarter of the sample reported attending more than one practice in the previous year. Multiple practice attendance is less common with increasing age, and less likely for survey respondents from regional Australia, compared with respondents from metropolitan areas. Multiple practice attenders are just as likely as single practice attenders to have a usual GP. DISCUSSION: A significant proportion of general practice care is delivered away from usual practices. This may have implications for health policy, in terms of continuity and quality of primary care.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Australians can seek general practice care from multiple general practitioners (GPs) in multiple locations. This provides high levels of patient choice but may reduce continuity of care. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of attendance at multiple general practices in Australia, and identify patient characteristics associated with multiple practice attendances. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of 2477 Australian adults was conducted online in July 2013. Respondents reported whether they had attended more than one general practice in the past year, and whether they had a usual general practice and GP. Demographic information, health service use and practice characteristics were also obtained from the survey. RESULTS: Over one-quarter of the sample reported attending more than one practice in the previous year. Multiple practice attendance is less common with increasing age, and less likely for survey respondents from regional Australia, compared with respondents from metropolitan areas. Multiple practice attenders are just as likely as single practice attenders to have a usual GP. DISCUSSION: A significant proportion of general practice care is delivered away from usual practices. This may have implications for health policy, in terms of continuity and quality of primary care.
Authors: Julia L Jones; Natalie G Lumsden; Koen Simons; Anis Ta'eed; Maximilian P de Courten; Tissa Wijeratne; Nicholas Cox; Christopher J A Neil; Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis; Peter Shane Hamblin; Edward D Janus; Craig L Nelson Journal: Fam Med Community Health Date: 2022-02
Authors: India Bellairs-Walsh; Sadhbh J Byrne; Sarah Bendall; Yael Perry; Karolina Krysinska; Ashleigh Lin; Maria Michail; Michelle Lamblin; Tina Yutong Li; Sarah Hetrick; Jo Robinson Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-08 Impact factor: 3.390