The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Multicenter Study
Continuity of care in general practice: a survey of patients' views.
It is not known how patients value continuity for different health problems. In addition, it is not clear how different types of patients value continuity. It has been argued, for example, that young and healthy individuals have different ideas about continuity from older people with chronic illnesses. More extensive exploration of patients' views and expectations on personal continuity is important as this may help to organise general practice better in the future. ⋯ The importance that patients attach to continuity of care depends on the seriousness of the conditions/facing them. Patients in The Netherlands desire a high level of personal care for serious conditions. Patient characteristics, such as age, sex, and frequency of visits to the GP influence views on continuity of care only to a minor extent.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Radiography for low back pain: a randomised controlled trial and observational study in primary care.
Lumbar spine radiography has limited use in diagnosing the cause of acute low back pain. Consensus-based guidelines recommend that lumbar spine x-rays are not used routinely. However there have been no studies of the effect of referral for radiography at first presentation with low back pain in primary care. ⋯ Referral for lumbar spine radiography for first presentation of low back pain in primary care is not associated with improved physical functioning, pain or disability. The possibility of minor psychological improvement should be balanced against the high radiation dose involved.