Patient preference for seeing own GP and patient-reported continuity of care - a survey in Norwegian general practice

Background Personal continuity of care, ie, a continuous relationship between the patient and the general practitioner (GP), is a core principle of general practice, enhancing trust, safety, and therapeutic engagement. The alignment between personal continuity, as experienced by patients, and the use of GP services remains uncertain.

Aim To assess how patient-reported preferences for seeing their own GP and patient-reported personal continuity were associated with their use of GPs.

Design & setting Survey conducted among patients in waiting rooms of 80 GP practices in Western Norway in 2021.

Method Data was collected from 2,230 patients using a questionnaire, which obtained information on their preferences, personal continuity (Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire) and actual GP use. Poisson regression models were used to assess associations between patient preferences, continuity and GP use in today’s consultation.

Results Most patients (88.7%) found it very important/important to see their own GP for a known problem, compared to 74.9% for a new problem. Strong preferences increased the likelihood of seeing their own GP in the consultation by 30-40% compared to those who valued this as neutral or not important. Personal continuity scores in the upper quartiles were associated with longer patient-GP relationships and frequent consultations with one’s own GP, and were not significantly reduced with increasing number of visits to other GPs in the practice.

Conclusion This study indicates that patient-reported personal continuity can be high despite patients seeing other GPs, if there is also a sustained, frequent long-term relationship with one’s own GP.