Patients' needs for contact with their GP at the time of hospital admission and other life events: a quantitative and qualitative exploration.

Purpose: Our goal was to explore patients' anticipated needs for contact with their general practitioner (GP) at the time of hospital admissions and other life events.

Methods: We undertook a questionnaire survey of 875 patients from 35 general practices spread throughout The Netherlands and a qualitative interview study with 30 patients.

Results: Most patients expected to need contact with their GP if admitted to a hospital for a serious condition, such as a malignancy (98%) or a heart attack (97%).

Family medicine trainees still value continuity of care.

Background And Objectives: Continuity of care in family medicine is under pressure due to an increase in part-time work, delegation of tasks, and the development of walk-in centers. It is uncertain to what extent newly qualified professionals value personal continuity. Insight into trainees' views may be helpful for training purposes and for improving continuity of care for patients in the future.