Tao Zhang1,2, Jianping Ren2, Xinyu Zhang2, Wendy Max3. 1. Department of Health Management, School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China. 2. School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China. 3. Institute for Health and Aging, School of Nursing, University of California, California, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study measured the perceived continuity of general practitioner (GP) care from the patient's perspective and identified the associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 624 patients in community health care centres in Hangzhou, China. A self-designed Likert scale was used to measure patients' perceptions on informational, managerial, and relational continuity of GP care. An average score for three types of continuity ranging from 0 to 100 was calculated. Linear regression models were developed to determine the factors influencing continuity. RESULTS: Average rating scores of 57.73 (±15.31), 50.74 (±17.18), 61.61 (±18.07), and 63.57 (±17.40) were found for total, informational, managerial, and relational continuity of care, respectively. Older patients reported a more positive rating on all types of continuity. Income was negatively associated with managerial continuity. The factors affecting informational, relational, and total continuities included chronic diseases, walking distance to nearest community health centres, signing a contract with a GP, and knowing the names of contracted GPs. CONCLUSION: Patients' perception of continuity of GP care remains at a low level, especially for informational continuity. The varied association between continuity of care and identified factors suggests that targeted actions should be considered for improving the quality of GP services.
BACKGROUND: This study measured the perceived continuity of general practitioner (GP) care from the patient's perspective and identified the associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 624 patients in community health care centres in Hangzhou, China. A self-designed Likert scale was used to measure patients' perceptions on informational, managerial, and relational continuity of GP care. An average score for three types of continuity ranging from 0 to 100 was calculated. Linear regression models were developed to determine the factors influencing continuity. RESULTS: Average rating scores of 57.73 (±15.31), 50.74 (±17.18), 61.61 (±18.07), and 63.57 (±17.40) were found for total, informational, managerial, and relational continuity of care, respectively. Older patients reported a more positive rating on all types of continuity. Income was negatively associated with managerial continuity. The factors affecting informational, relational, and total continuities included chronic diseases, walking distance to nearest community health centres, signing a contract with a GP, and knowing the names of contracted GPs. CONCLUSION:Patients' perception of continuity of GP care remains at a low level, especially for informational continuity. The varied association between continuity of care and identified factors suggests that targeted actions should be considered for improving the quality of GP services.