Continuity of care: towards a definition based on experiences of practising GPs.

BACKGROUND The traditional concept of continuity of care, i.e. care from the cradle to the grave, is no longer sustainable in modern society. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to propose a definition of 'continuity of care' based on the experiences of a group of practising Australian GPs. METHOD Five focus group discussions were conducted to explore the understanding and practice of continuity of care, the individual's measurement of having achieved continuity of care in his/her practice and the advantages/disadvantages of providing continuity of care. Results and conclusions. The experiences of this group of GPs points towards three essential aspects to help with a definition of continuity of care. Firstly it requires a stable care environment, secondly good communication to build a responsible doctor-patient relationship and thirdly the goal of achieving an improvement of the patient's overall health.