Research Article: First contact with the health system: a survey study in northern Portugal
Abstract:
Objective The objective of this study is to characterise the self-reported first contact with the health system and the reasons stated for each choice, testing associations with population characteristics. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Primary care department of a local health unit in northern Portugal. Participants Random sample of 4286 persons, retrieved from all registered adults. Outcomes Participants who stated they usually see the same doctor when a health problem arises were considered to adopt first-contact care and were asked to identify their regular doctor. Participants were asked why they adopt first-contact care or why they choose to do otherwise. Associations between personal characteristics and the adoption of first-contact care were tested using logistic regression. Results There were 808 valid questionnaires received (19% response rate). The mean age of respondents was 53 years, 58% were women and 60% had a high school or higher degree. Most (71%) stated always seeing the same doctor when facing a health problem. This was a general practitioner (GP) in 84%. The main reasons were previous knowledge and trust in the doctor. When this doctor was not a GP, the main reason was the need to obtain an appointment quickly. Participants who chose first-contact care were less likely to have university degrees than those who did not (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.76). Being registered with the same GP for over 1?year increased the odds of adopting first-contact care: twice as likely for those registered for 1–4 years with the same GP (2.07; 95% CI 1.04 to 4.11), and three times more likely for those registered for over 10 years (3.21; 95% CI 1.70 to 6.08). Conclusions The high adoption of first-contact care and the reasons given for this suggest a strong belief in primary care in this population. The longer patients experience continuity, the more they adopt first-contact care. The preferences of higher-educated patients regarding first-contact care deserve reflection.
Introduction:
Primary care-based systems require the existence of a point of first contact to enter the system whenever care is needed. 1 Most often, this point of first contact is a general practitioner (GP). 2 Repeated access to the same provider is one aspect of continuity of care. Continuity of the team and of the medical record are also important for high-quality care. 3 Continuity improves both patient outcomes 4 5 and patient satisfaction. 6 It is believed to reduce unnecessary diagnostic and treatment interventions, 1 7…
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