Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study

Background: This study evaluated changes in regularity of general practitioner (GP) contact (the pattern of visits over time) and the impact of regularity on diabetes-related hospitalisation following introduction of care co-ordination incentives. Methods: Linked primary care, hospital and death...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Youens, David, Preen, D.B., Harris, Mark, Wright, Cameron, Moorin, Rachael
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/86468
_version_ 1848764830724390912
author Youens, David
Preen, D.B.
Harris, Mark
Wright, Cameron
Moorin, Rachael
author_facet Youens, David
Preen, D.B.
Harris, Mark
Wright, Cameron
Moorin, Rachael
author_sort Youens, David
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: This study evaluated changes in regularity of general practitioner (GP) contact (the pattern of visits over time) and the impact of regularity on diabetes-related hospitalisation following introduction of care co-ordination incentives. Methods: Linked primary care, hospital and death records covered West Australian adults from 1991–2004. Different eras were evaluated based on incentive program changes and model fit, to assess changes in regularity. Changes in regularity, derived from the variance in the number of days between GP contacts, were evaluated using ordered logistic regression. The impact of regularity on hospitalisation rates and costs were evaluated. Results: Two eras prior to program introduction (1991/92–1994/9 and 1995/96–1998/99), and one after (1999/2000–2002/03) were assessed. Among 153,455 at risk of diabetes-related hospitalisation GP contact became slightly less regular in the second era, though there was no change from the second to third era. The most regular decile had 5.5% fewer hospitalisations (95% CI -0.9% to -9.9%) and lower per-patient costs (difference AU$115, CI -$63 to -$167) than the least regular. Associations were similar in each era. Conclusions: Ongoing relationships between GPs and patients are important to maintaining health. Historical data provide the opportunity to assess the impact of care co-ordination incentives on relationships.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T11:25:36Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-86468
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language eng
last_indexed 2025-11-14T11:25:36Z
publishDate 2021
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-864682021-12-13T07:07:56Z Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study Youens, David Preen, D.B. Harris, Mark Wright, Cameron Moorin, Rachael general practice hospital utilisation incentives Background: This study evaluated changes in regularity of general practitioner (GP) contact (the pattern of visits over time) and the impact of regularity on diabetes-related hospitalisation following introduction of care co-ordination incentives. Methods: Linked primary care, hospital and death records covered West Australian adults from 1991–2004. Different eras were evaluated based on incentive program changes and model fit, to assess changes in regularity. Changes in regularity, derived from the variance in the number of days between GP contacts, were evaluated using ordered logistic regression. The impact of regularity on hospitalisation rates and costs were evaluated. Results: Two eras prior to program introduction (1991/92–1994/9 and 1995/96–1998/99), and one after (1999/2000–2002/03) were assessed. Among 153,455 at risk of diabetes-related hospitalisation GP contact became slightly less regular in the second era, though there was no change from the second to third era. The most regular decile had 5.5% fewer hospitalisations (95% CI -0.9% to -9.9%) and lower per-patient costs (difference AU$115, CI -$63 to -$167) than the least regular. Associations were similar in each era. Conclusions: Ongoing relationships between GPs and patients are important to maintaining health. Historical data provide the opportunity to assess the impact of care co-ordination incentives on relationships. 2021 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/86468 10.1177/09514848211020866 eng fulltext
spellingShingle general practice
hospital utilisation
incentives
Youens, David
Preen, D.B.
Harris, Mark
Wright, Cameron
Moorin, Rachael
Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title_full Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title_fullStr Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title_short Regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: A retrospective cohort study
title_sort regularity of contact with general practitioners and diabetes-related hospitalisation through a period of policy change: a retrospective cohort study
topic general practice
hospital utilisation
incentives
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/86468