Defining and measuring interpersonal continuity of care.

Area of Science:

• Medical Literature Review
• Primary Care Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Investigated the significance of continuity of care for both physicians and patients.
• Reviewed existing medical literature to define interpersonal continuity.
• Examined how interpersonal continuity has been measured and studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define interpersonal continuity of care.
• To describe measurement techniques for continuity of care.
• To analyze research themes related to continuity of care.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a systematic literature search of the MEDLINE database (1966-2002) using the keyword "continuity of patient care."
• Screened titles and abstracts to select articles focusing on interpersonal continuity or its definition.
• Analyzed selected articles for study methodology, measurement techniques, and research themes.

Main Results:

• Identified 379 articles on continuity of care; 142 directly addressed its definition or interpersonal aspects.
• Found limited agreement on defining continuity of care, proposing a three-dimensional hierarchy: informational, longitudinal, and interpersonal.
• Noted 21 measurement techniques, many focusing on visit patterns rather than the interpersonal relationship.

Conclusions:

• The interpersonal dimension of continuity of care is crucial, particularly in primary care.
• Future research in family medicine should concentrate on enhancing the understanding of interpersonal continuity.
• Further investigation is needed to develop and refine measures of the interpersonal aspects of care continuity.