Hey Siri ..*sniff*... Find a GP near me
We've all been there—feeling under the weather, a bit off, or downright miserable and needing a medical certificate. And what do we do? We grab our phones and Google 'GP near me' to quickly do whatever is required to get that cert! Let's face it, the 'one-and-done' approach to healthcare—seeing any available GP when things go south—isn't doing you any favours. Sure, it might solve the problem temporarily, but it's not a long-term solution. It's like patching up a leaky boat but never actually fixing the hole.
Today, we're diving into the often-overlooked importance of having a regular GP and the value of continuity of care.
Why Continuity of Care Matters
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), continuity of care is associated with better patient satisfaction, reduced hospital admissions, and lower mortality rates. Here's why:
1. A Comprehensive Understanding
A regular GP has a holistic view of your health history. They know about that surgery you had five years ago, your medication allergies, and even your family's medical history. This comprehensive understanding allows for more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
2. Trust and Open Communication
When you see the same GP regularly, a relationship of trust is built. You're more likely to be open about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and even mental health. This open dialogue is crucial for effective healthcare (and makes the diagnosis of tricky things easier for us!) the
3. Preventative Care
A regular GP focuses not just on treating illness but also on preventing it. Regular check-ups can catch issues before they become serious problems.
4. Coordinated Care
If you have multiple health issues or need to see various specialists, a regular GP can coordinate your care. They act as the 'quarterback' of your healthcare team, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
The benefits of Continuity
Let's talk numbers for a moment. Continuity of care has many positive benefits including association with Lower mortality rates (1), Decreased ED and hospital visits (2), Increased patient satisfaction (3), and Happier doctors (4). But if dying earlier, more time in the hospital, and being a less satisfied patient with a less satisfied doctor isn't enough: it also costs more! (5,6)
Bouncing around GPs leads to more prescribing, tests, and specialist appointments down the track and is associated with significantly higher healthcare costs that can mean $100's or $1,000's of dollars you can save.
How to Find Your 'Forever GP'
Ask for Recommendations: Word of mouth is powerful. Ask friends or family for their trusted GPs.
Location: While searching for a 'GP near me' is convenient, also consider other factors like clinic hours and services offered.
Check accreditation: A good idea to check they have their medical licence and are specialised GPs with their Royal Australian Colledge of General Practioner Fellowship. (Fancy letters of FRACGP). You can check this open source by searching at The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). (If you looked up me, you would find this). Make sure they are: Registered, A Specialist GP, and Have no restrictions/conditions or reprimands you aren't happy with.
Initial Consultation: Book an initial consultation to gauge the GP's approach and see if it aligns with your healthcare needs. It is good for patients to settle with the GP they like and trust, we are too busy to take offence if someone doesn't come back, so don't worry about offending us!
Conclusion
The last time you Googled 'GP near me,' you were probably looking for a quick fix. But healthcare is a long game, and it's high time we started playing it that way. Investing in a relationship with a regular GP is an investment in your future. So the next time you feel the urge to Google 'GP near me,' think twice. Your health deserves more than a one-and-done GP!
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on Australian healthcare guidelines and is intended for informational purposes only. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Pereira Gray DJ, Sidaway-Lee K, White E, Thorne A, Evans PH. Continuity of care with doctors—A matter of life and death? A systematic review of continuity of care and mortality. BMJ Open 2018;8(6):e021161. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021161.
van Walraven C, Oake N, Jennings A, Forster AJ. The association between continuity of care and outcomes: A systematic and critical review. J Eval Clin Pract 2010;16(5):947–56. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2009.01235.x.
Adler R, Vasiliadis A, Bickell N. The relationship between continuity and patient satisfaction: A systematic review. Fam Pract 2010;27(2):171–78. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmp099.
Stokes T, Tarrant C, Mainous AG, Schers H, Freeman G, Baker R. Continuity of Care: Is the personal doctor still important? A survey of general practitioners and family physicians in England and Wales, the United States, and the Netherlands. Ann Fam Med 2005;3(4):353–59. doi: 10.1370/afm.351.
Raddish M, Horn SD, Sharkey PD. Continuity of care: is it cost-effective? Am J Manag Care. 1999 Jun;5(6):727-34. PMID: 10538452.
Nicolet, A., Al-Gobari, M., Perraudin, C. et al. Association between continuity of care (COC), healthcare use and costs: what can we learn from claims data? A rapid review. BMC Health Serv Res22, 658 (2022). doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-07953-z
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