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Supplemental Appendixes 1-3
Supplemental Appendixes 1-3
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The Article in Brief
Minding the Gap: Perceived Factors Associated With Primary Care Coordination of Adults in 11 Countries
Jonathan Penm , and colleagues
Background Care coordination (organizing patient care activities and sharing information among participants) is a key strategy for improving the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of health care systems. This study examines care coordination in 11 high-income countries.
What This Study Found One out of every three respondents experienced at least one coordination gap in primary care, but the overall percentage reporting poor primary care coordination was low. Among the 11 countries evaluated, the United States had the highest rate of poor primary care coordination. Among patients in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States, the rate of poor primary care coordination was 5 percent overall and highest in the US at 10 percent. Patients were less likely to experience poor care coordination if their primary care physician knew them well, spent sufficient time with them, involved them in care, and explained things well. Poor primary care coordination was more likely to occur among patients with chronic conditions and patients younger than 65 years. In the US, patients reported similar levels of poor primary care coordination regardless of insurance status, health status, income level and sex, suggesting a systemic issue that distinguishes the efficacy of primary care coordination from that of other countries.
Implications
- The authors note that care coordination gaps have been associated with a higher risk of patients experiencing a medical error, more follow-up appointments, and unnecessary health care spending. They conclude these findings warrant increased efforts to support relationships between primary care providers and patients, especially those who are younger and chronically ill.