Sticking with the same GP linked to better health among aged care residents

A national study led by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) Research Centre at SAHMRI, has found that people living in residential aged care who continue seeing their regular GP after entering a facility, are less likely to end up in hospital or die early.

Recently published in Age and Ageing, the study is the first national evaluation of its kind, analysing the health outcomes of more than 330,000 residents across 3,000 aged care facilities.

The findings revealed only 17% were able to continue with their usual GP after entering care. Those who stayed with the same doctor experienced 8% fewer emergency department presentations, 6% fewer unplanned hospitalisations, 11% fewer fall-related hospitalisations and 21% fewer dementia-related hospitalisations.

ROSA Principal Investigator, Professor Gill Caughey, says the evidence highlights the crucial nature of continuity.

“For too long, older Australians in residential care have struggled with fragmented services and a revolving door of providers. Our study shows that when residents maintain a consistent relationship with their GP, their risk of hospitalisation and even death goes down,” Prof Caughey said.

The study also showed care patterns involving preventive health checks, management plans and allied health services delivered the best outcomes, including around nine percent lower mortality compared with reactive, crisis-driven care.

“This is about more than just GPs. Podiatrists, optometrists, pharmacists and nurse practitioners all play a critical role. Together, they help residents stay healthier for longer and reduce unnecessary pressure on hospitals,” Prof Caughey said.

“We need to set up our system so that residents don’t lose access to trusted GPs when they move into a facility, and other health care professionals are part of the team caring for those people from the start.”

ROSA is calling for national investment to make continuity of care a priority and to make proactive, team-based models the norm in aged care.