Now we can point to the evidence:
The study found people who had a family physician were less likely to use their local emergency room and, in general, benefited from a better quality of care than someone who was seen in a walk-in or specialty clinic where the treating physician did not know them or their medical history as well.They were also less likely to suffer a medical emergency that would put them in a hospital because their medication could be monitored and adjusted by a physician who knew them.
The study also found the benefits were most pronounced in patients aged 65 and older, who are among the heaviest users of the medical system and who are going to be making up a larger percentage of the population as they age.
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{ 4 comments }
It is good to see proof that we family docs make a significant contribution to the well being of our patients. Specialists are often considered more glamourous and are certainly better paid. We have to know a little about a lot whereas specialists have to know a lot about a little and each has its place. I still recall one of my patients who was admitted for bedrest for pre-eclampsia — she had a severe attack of migraine. The gynaecologist referred her to the neurologist; when I showed up, I prescribed her some codeine and her migraine was controlled!
It is good to see proof that we family docs make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of our patients. Specialists are often considered to be more glamourous and are certainly better paid. They need to know a lot about a little whereas we need to know a little about a lot and each has its place. I still recall one of my patients who was admitted for bedrest for pre-eclampsia; she had a severe attack of migraine. The gynaecologist referred her to the neurologist who still had not shown up by the afternoon. I arrived and prescribed her some codeine and her migraine went away!
This is of course not exactly the proof we would look for, since the study is from Canada. What the study suggests is that in an environment where everyone is eligible for healthcare, having primary care is beneficial. We don’t know if the same thing is true in the US.
Primary care also acts as a link between the disparate specialties that a patient may see and which do not often communicate with each other. The FD is often the one physicain who has a complete picture of what is happening to the patient. That also makes it more cost effective.
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