Continuity of care: towards a definition based on experiences of practising GPs

BACKGROUND: The traditional concept of continuity of care, i.e. care from the cradle to the grave, is no longer sustainable in modern society. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to propose a definition of 'continuity of care' based on the experiences of a group of practising Australian GPs. METHOD: Five focus group discussions were conducted to explore the understanding and practice of continuity of care, the individual's measurement of having achieved continuity of care in his/her practice and the advantages/disadvantages of providing continuity of care. Results and conclusions. The experiences of this group of GPs points towards three essential aspects to help with a definition of continuity of care. Firstly it requires a stable care environment, secondly good communication to build a responsible doctor-patient relationship and thirdly the goal of achieving an improvement of the patient's overall health.