Saturday, May 21, 2011

Why it pays to see the same GP

Patients are less likely to be admitted to hospital as an emergency if they are able to see a doctor of their choice, a study has found.

This is because patients who see the same GP over a period of time find their doctor is better able to determine if they can cope with medication and illnesses than doctors who have no relationship with them.

A study of 145 GP practices were analysed across Leicestershire as part of the NHS study.

Experts studied information on hospital admissions for two consecutive years.

Where patients were able to consult a particular GP, the study found fewer ended up going to hospital.

Dr John Bankart, of the University of Leicester, who led the study, said: "As the proportion of patients able to consult a particular GP increased, emergency admission rates declined.

"Being able to consult a particular GP, an aspect of continuity, is associated with lower emergency admission rates."

"The study is important because even a small reduction in hospital admissions will save money and the findings point to ways these numbers might be cut."

GP practices who had patients who were older or poorer sent more people to hospital.

City GP Dr Angela Lennox said the findings bore out her 20 years of experience as a family doctor on the St Matthew's estate.

She said: "I know my patients very well, their illnesses and behaviour and how confident and reliable they will be in managing their problems.

"Therefore, I can make decisions based on that and which, in many instances, will avoid them having to go to hospital for further assessment."



Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/150b9841/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0Cpays0EGP0Carticle0E35797750Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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