For their study, researchers collected data on 5,507 insured adults in Wisconsin who had a usual physician they relied upon for medical care. All had participated in the 2003-2006 round of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. To determine first-contact accessibility, participants could rate eight items from excellent to poor. These included things such as office hours, location of the doctor’s office, waiting room times, ability to make phone appointments, amount of time spent with the doctor and how easy it was to receive advice over the telephone.
Researchers found 18 percent had high ratings for their first-contact accessibility in addition to continuity of care with their physician. In the past year, 83 percent of eligible women received a mammogram, 78 percent of men had a prostate examination and 63 percent of participants had a flu shot. In addition, the vast majority (90 percent) received a cholesterol test. Adding first-contact access to existing continuity of care with a primary care physician boosted the likelihood of receiving preventive services compared to just having continuity of care alone.
Related Articles on Preventive Care:
AAFP Releases Recommendations for Preventive Services
Survey Reveals 7 Areas of Opportunity to Make Healthcare More Sustainable
Medicare to Cover Yearly Primary Care Visits to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
