Association between continuity of care and subsequent diagnosis of multimorbidity in Ontario, Canada from 2001-2015: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Continuity of care is a well-recognized principle of the primary care discipline owing to its medical, interpersonal, and cost-saving benefits. Relationship continuity or the ongoing therapeutic relationship between a patient and their physician is a particularly desirable goal, but its role in preventing the accumulation of chronic conditions diagnoses in individuals is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of continuity of care with physicians on the rate of incident multimorbidity diagnoses in patients with existing conditions.

Methods

This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study from 2001 to 2015 that focused on patients aged 18 to 105 years with at least one chronic condition (n = 166,665). Our primary exposure was rela

SUBMITTER: Chau E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7951913 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature