Does sticking with the same doctor lead to a longer life?

About 21% of Americans do not have personal doctors, according to the 2016 analysis of the Kaiser Family Foundation, with Alaska at 32.2%.

However, a new systematic review suggests that when a person consults the same doctor over time, this can reduce the risk of premature death.

The journal, a collaboration between the New York University of Exeter Medical School and St. Leonard's Practice at Exeter, analyzed 22 smaller studies from nine different countries. Each of these studies examined the association between "continuity of care" and death. Researchers in the United Kingdom have defined "continuity of care" as "repeated contact between a patient and a doctor".

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About 81 percent of the studies they examined showed statistically significant reductions in mortality among people who were able to see the same doctor for a long time.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the results," Phil Evans, an associate professor of general practice and primary care at the University of Exeter Medical School, told ABC News. authors of the study.

However, the biggest limitation of the study was that the researchers were unable to compile all the study results together in what's called a "meta-analysis", which they would have said how much the risk decreased. A meta-analysis can not use studies that are too different from one another, where comparisons can not be equitable. There were different definitions of "continuity of care" and different periods of follow-up from one study to the next. The authors of the study believe that their findings would also apply to America despite its private health care system based on unique insurance.

"We appreciate the fact that the American model of family practice is different from the American model, but we have included several major studies based in the United States in our analysis," Evans told ABC News.

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It is unclear what are the factors behind this downward trend in mortality. It may be that close contact between the patient and the physician for a prolonged period of time means that the patient will be more likely to stick to evidence-based preventive medications, and more likely to follow the treatment recommendations made. by a doctor. know over the years.

"We can make assumptions about the existence of an association," Evans told ABC News. "There is evidence that patients are more satisfied with their doctor, they are more likely to take their guidance on screening for example, such as vaginal smears for women, or with treatment such as taking statins if they are recommended . "

Dr. Ronald Epstein, professor of family medicine, psychiatry, oncology and medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester, who did not participate in the event. 39, study, emphasized the benefits of keeping the same medical team for doctors and patients. .

"These results make sense with what we know about the benefits of continuity of care.For the doctor, they get to know their patient as a person rather than their condition.The doctors who see the same patient over time have a better idea of ​​the patient's values ​​and preferences, as well as the complexity of the treatment plan and the social situation, "Epstein told ABC News." There is also a sense of loyalty and a connection with the patient's health outcomes. The patient may be more willing to follow up on the family doctor's recommendations because of the trust that he has created, for example. In the end, seeing the same provider is a very positive thing for the patient and the doctor. "

Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran is a pediatric resident physician working in the ABC News Medical Unit in New York.