Uninterrupted primary care—often called continuity of care—means a patient has an ongoing relationship with the same primary care provider or team over time for preventive care, chronic care, acute care and in-office procedure management. Research consistently shows it is SAFER, LESS EXPENSIVE, and yields important benefits for patients, clinicians, employers, and insurance companies/hospitals. It is a cornerstone of high-quality healthcare systems and population health improvement. Unfortunately, corporate medicine does not prioritize continuity of care over the bottom line - which ultimately is why I decided to create i360MD!
Benefits for patients
- Better health outcomes
- Continuous care is linked to lower mortality, better control of chronic diseases (like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension), and earlier detection of health problems.
- Fewer medication and medical errors
- Improved preventive care
- Patients are more likely to receive timely screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling when they regularly see the same provider.
- Greater trust and communication
- A long-term relationship builds trust, making patients more comfortable discussing sensitive issues and more likely to follow treatment plans.
- A provider who knows the patient’s history well is less likely to miss key details, order unnecessary tests, prescribe conflicting medications, or be underwhelmed by a potentially serious diagnosis.
- Better care coordination
- Primary care providers can more effectively coordinate referrals, specialist care, and follow-up when they understand the full patient context.
Benefits for employers, insurance companies and healthcare systems
- Reduced hospitalizations and emergency visits
- Continuous primary care helps manage conditions early, preventing complications that lead to costly acute care.
- Lower overall healthcare costs
- Fewer duplicate tests, better chronic disease management, and reduced emergency care translate into cost savings.
- More efficient use of resources
- Less time out of work
- Better productivity
- Care is better targeted and less fragmented across multiple providers.
Benefits for clinicians
- Better clinical decision-making
- Knowing a patient over time allows for more personalized, accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
- Higher professional satisfaction
- Ongoing patient relationships can improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout.
- Stronger accountability and outcomes
- Clinicians can more clearly see the impact of their care over time.
In summary
Uninterrupted primary care supports better health, lower costs, improved patient experience, and safer, more coordinated care.
Fact Check!! Bibliography: Continuity of Primary Care
- Baker, R., Freeman, G. K., Haggerty, J. L., Bankart, M. J. G., & Nockels, K. H. (2020). Primary medical care continuity and patient mortality: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 10(6), e035992. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035992
- Gray, D. P., Sidaway-Lee, K., White, E., Thorne, A., & Evans, P. H. (2018). Continuity of care with doctors—a matter of life and death? A systematic review of continuity of care and mortality. BMJ Open, 8(6), e021161. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021161
- Bazemore, A., Petterson, S., Peterson, L. E., & Phillips, R. L. (2018). Higher primary care physician continuity is associated with lower costs and hospitalizations. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(6), 492–497. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2308
- Hussey, P. S., Schneider, E. C., Rudin, R. S., Fox, D. S., Lai, J., & Pollack, C. E. (2014). Continuity and the costs of care for chronic disease. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(5), 742–748. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.245
- van Walraven, C., Oake, N., Jennings, A., & Forster, A. J. (2010). The association between continuity of care and outcomes: a systematic and critical review. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16(5), 947–956. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2009.01235.x
- Kao, Y. H., Tseng, T. S., Ng, Y. Y., et al. (2021). Association between continuity of care and avoidable hospitalization: a systematic review. BMC Primary Care, 22, 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01493-x
- Nyweide, D. J., Anthony, D. L., Bynum, J. P. W., et al. (2013). Continuity of care and the risk of preventable hospitalization in older adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(20), 1879–1885. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.10059
- Friedberg, M. W., Hussey, P. S., & Schneider, E. C. (2010). Primary care: a critical review of the evidence on quality and costs of health care. Health Affairs, 29(5), 766–772. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0025
- Saultz, J. W., & Lochner, J. (2005). Interpersonal continuity of care and care outcomes: a critical review. Annals of Family Medicine, 3(2), 159–166. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.285
- Pereira Gray, D. J., Sidaway-Lee, K., White, E., Evans, P., & Thorne, A. (2018). Continuity of care with doctors and its effect on mortality: a systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 68(673), e273–e284. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X695189
