Characteristics of Patients and Patient Value of Continuity of Care (PVC)
| Characteristic | PVC Mean (SD) or r | P Value |
|---|---|---|
| Patient age, years | ||
| 0–6 (n = 258) | 4.48 (0.61) | <.001 |
| 7–12 (n = 146 | 4.32 (0.81) | |
| 13–18 (n = 156) | 4.25 (0.85) | |
| 19–39 (n = 657) | 4.19 (0.80) | |
| 40–64 (n = 974) | 4.46 (0.70) | |
| ≥65 (n = 557) | 4.67 (0.56) | |
| Patient sex | ||
| Male (n = 1,049) | 4.38 (0.73) | .015 |
| Female (n = 1,707) | 4.44 (0.73) | |
| Patient race | ||
| White (n = 2,501) | 4.42 (0.73) | .326 |
| Not white (n = 262) | 4.38 (0.77) | |
| Educational level attained | ||
| High school graduate or less (n = 1,014) | 4.51 (0.70) | <.001 |
| More than high school (n = 1,155) | 4.35 (0.73) | |
| Number of visits to practice in last year | 0.20 | <.001 |
| Usual provider continuity index | 0.14 | <.001 |
| Index physician is patient’s regular doctor | ||
| No (n = 232) | 4.00 (0.86) | <.001 |
| Yes (n = 2,459) | 4.46 (0.70) | |
| Years as a patient of the index physician | 0.22 | <.001 |
| Insurance | ||
| Medicare (n = 594) | 4.66 (0.58) | <.001 |
| Undeterminable (n = 19) | 4.58 (0.49) | |
| Unclassified (n = 24) | 4.47 (0.65) | |
| Medicaid (n = 146) | 4.45 (0.71) | |
| Other (n = 32) | 4.43 (0.67) | |
| None (n = 185) | 4.37 (0.87) | |
| Managed care (n = 1,087) | 4.36 (0.73) | |
| Fee for service (n = 676) | 4.29 (0.76) | |
| Number of medications taken | 0.19 | <.001 |
| Number of chronic illnesses | 0.20 | <.001 |
| Self-reported health status | ||
| In general | −0.09 | <.001 |
| Health problems limit daily activities | −0.08 | <.001 |
| Bothered by emotional problems | −0.01 | .576 |
| Amount of bodily pain | −0.07 | <.001 |
| Difficulty doing everyday work | −0.08 | <.001 |
| Summary measure | −0.09 | <.001 |
| Components of Primary Care Instrument | ||
| Accumulated knowledge | 0.40 | <.001 |
| Coordination of care | 0.45 | <.001 |
| Interpersonal communication | 0.39 | <.001 |