Patients who stick to the same doctor will die less prematurely, a new study suggests

A new study has shown that patients who see the same doctor are less likely to die prematurely. The researchers in the study note that these patients are more open about their symptoms, more confident in the doctor's medical advice, and more comfortable with taking the prescriptions given to them.

A Question of Life and Death

The Team Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School examined 22 studies involving 1.4 million patients from the United Kingdom, from France, the Netherlands and the United States. Eighteen of the studies showed that patients were more likely to die during a given period of time if they chose to change doctors or hospitals.

The lead author of the study, Sir Denis Pereira Gray, said that the importance of what doctor they see and how well they communicate with the health care professional. Sir Gray, who was the president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, continued that this study suggests that the quality of medical practice is now a matter of life and death.

Ronald Epstein, professor of family medicine, psychiatry, oncology and medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester, said that sticking with the same doctor gives the doctor the opportunity to learn more about their patients. Dr. Epstein, who did not participate in the study, added that doctors are also able to have a better idea of ​​their patients' preferences and that patients will likely follow the recommendations of the study. their doctor

. was conducted in the United States revealed that 18.5 percent of diabetic patients who saw a different doctor died within 3 years. This was compared to the 8 percent who visited the same doctor for each visit. In Britain, patients who could see their favorite doctor were less likely to die from cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Doctor Shortage

Unfortunately, many patients are unable to see their doctor. unable to provide their patients with ongoing care. Surgeries are understaffed and more and more family physicians are choosing to work part time.

In a study conducted last month by the University of Leicester, only half of the patients had a favorite doctor and only half of them even doctor for the majority of their appointments.

Many health experts have emphasized the importance of continuing to treat patients in the past.

"We want to make sure everyone has access to services," said a spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Services.

The spokesperson added that for patients to have access to their doctors, the ministry seeks to invest $ 2.4 billion dollars in general practice by the year 2021 and recruit more doctors.

The study was published in the newspaper BMJ Open .