Potential Mechanisms of Continuity of Care and Future Research

Abstract

High continuity in primary care has positive impact on the health of patients and populations, but the traditional long-term relationship of a patient with one specific primary care provider is no longer given. Insight into the underlying mechanisms of continuity in primary care can help to design effective teams and networks of healthcare providers. Eight different mechanisms of continuity of care are proposed: matching of patient and provider, time for patient care, healing relationship, effective information delivery, effective counselling, monitoring in care episodes, coherence of treatment, and absence of interruption due to hand-overs. Empirical research on the mechanisms of continuity in modern primary care is required.