Continuity of GP care cuts hospital risk for older people living at home

New research led by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) Research Centre at SAHMRI and Flinders University has revealed older Australians receiving home care services are significantly less likely to be hospitalised when they continue seeing a regular GP.

Australia’s ageing population is placing increasing pressure on hospitals and aged care services, with most older Australians preferring to remain living at home for as long as possible.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, analysed health outcomes for more than 120,000 Australians aged 65 and over receiving long term home care between 2016 and 2019.

It found people who continued seeing their usual GP had an 18 to 28 per cent lower risk of going to an emergency department or hospital, compared with those who frequently saw new doctors.

ROSA Associate Director, Professor Gill Caughey says the findings highlight the importance of long term relationships in primary care for older people with complex health needs.

“Continuity of care really matters for older people,” Prof Caughey said.

“When someone is seeing a GP who knows their medical history, medications and priorities, we see fewer hospital visits and better health outcomes.”

The study also looked at patterns of primary health care use and found the strongest outcomes were linked to preventative, multidisciplinary care.
Older people who received longer GP consultations, care management plans and allied health support, with less reliance on urgent or after hours care, had a 15 to 36 per cent lower risk of hospitalisation and reduced mortality.

Prof Caughey says the findings reinforce the value of proactive care that focuses on prevention and coordination, rather than responding to crises once health has deteriorated.

“This is about identifying problems earlier and managing them better, with GPs, nurses and allied health professionals working as a team,” Prof Caughey said.

The new findings align with a previous ROSA study released earlier in the year, which also showed strong benefits related to seeing a regular GP when in residential aged care.

The latest results strengthen the case for policy and funding reforms that prioritise continuity of care and support multidisciplinary primary care teams to work to the top of their scope.

“The evidence is now clear across home care and residential care settings. Maintaining an ongoing relationship with a GP makes a meaningful difference to older people’s health and wellbeing,” Prof Caughey said.

“If we want older Australians to not only age in place but age well, we need systems that support long term GP relationships and coordinated, preventative care.”

This research was supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).