Landmark study shows health benefits of seeing the same GP

Alandmark study has revealed the true benefits of seeing the same GP over time.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Insead business school found that there was a range of benefits when patients have a long-term relationship with their doctor.

It includes improving patient health and reducing the workload for family doctors.

Seeing the same doctor during GP visits – a model known as continuity of care – meant people waited on average 18 per cent longer between visits, compared with patients who saw different doctors.

People did not take up more GP time in each consultation and the findings were particularly strong for older patients, those with multiple chronic illnesses, and people with mental health conditions.

Researchers behind the study said that, although it will not always be possible for people to see their regular GP, the findings would translate to an estimated 5 per cent reduction in consultations if all practices in England were providing the level of continuity of care of the best 10 per cent of practices.