“It is much more important to know what sort of a patient has a disease than what sort of a disease a patient has.”
-William Osler, Physician and Pioneer of Modern Medicine
I’ve always believed healthcare is at its best when it’s personal, when your doctor truly knows you. It turns out this isn’t just comforting; it’s powerful medicine. A recent landmark study from Norway underscores what I strive to offer patients at Sana Sana Clinic. A continuous, lasting relationship with a doctor who knows and understands you can significantly enhance your health and longevity.
The Remarkable Benefits of a Lasting Doctor-Patient Relationship
Researchers in Norway recently analyzed national data from over 4.5 million patients, exploring how long-term relationships with primary care physicians affect patient outcomes, specifically focusing on emergency care use, hospitalization rates, and even mortality.
The findings were striking:
- Patients who maintained a relationship with the same primary care doctor for over 15 years had about 30% fewer visits to after-hours emergency services compared to patients with shorter doctor relationships.
- The same patients saw nearly 28% fewer hospital admissions for acute, urgent issues.
- Most impressively, the long-term patients experienced approximately a 25% lower risk of death during the year studied compared to patients who had shorter relationships with their primary care doctor.
These powerful results clearly show that each additional year you build a relationship with your doctor adds tangible protection to your health.
Why Continuity of Care is So Effective
At Sana Sana Clinic, I focus heavily on building long-term, continuous relationships with each patient. Through the Direct Primary Care model, I provide patients with unrestricted access, longer visits, and a commitment to understanding them as individuals not just cases or conditions with their accompanying diagnosis codes.
This approach aligns perfectly with what the Norwegian study uncovered. A doctor who knows you well can deliver:
- Better Prevention: Issues are identified early, before they become emergencies, because your doctor knows what’s normal for you.
- Improved Communication: You’re more likely to share sensitive concerns sooner if your doctor is someone you trust deeply.
- Personalized Health Care: Your treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It is tailored specifically to you.
In other words, continuity of care isn’t just convenient, it’s a fundamental component of effective healthcare.
These Findings Matter Here in the U.S., Too
While Norway’s healthcare system is different from our own, the core lesson of this study transcends borders: a strong, long-term relationship with your doctor significantly improves health outcomes. Similar research in the U.S. has repeatedly echoed these benefits, highlighting reduced hospitalization rates, fewer emergency visits, and greater patient satisfaction among patients who maintain continuous care relationships.
Unfortunately, continuity is often disrupted in traditional U.S. healthcare due to insurance changes, large patient panels, and limited access. This fragmentation of care can undermine health and add stress to managing chronic conditions.
The DPC Difference
I founded Sana Sana Clinic precisely to overcome these challenges. My Direct Primary Care practice removes insurance barriers and keeps patient numbers intentionally low, allowing me to provide highly personalized, unhurried care. Patients at Sana Sana Clinic can expect:
- A lasting relationship with me without threat of forced doctor switching because of insurance or bureaucratic red tape.
- Direct access and communication with me whenever they need it, significantly reducing the likelihood of emergency room visits.
- Preventive, holistic care tailored to their unique needs, ultimately preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.
Your Relationship with Your Doctor Should Feel Personal, Because It Is
Healthcare should never be anonymous or transactional. It should be deeply personal, rooted in trust, familiarity, and understanding. The recent Norwegian study is a powerful reminder of something I see every day I am seeing my patients: taking the time to build and maintain meaningful doctor-patient relationships isn’t just good practice, it is an essential ingredient for primary care that promotes health and can extend your life. I encourage you to invest in a lasting relationship with a doctor who knows you, your family, your values, and your story. Great healthcare begins with genuine caring.
References:
Sandvik, H., Hetlevik, Ø., Blinkenberg, J., & Hunskaar, S. (2022). Continuity in general practice as predictor of mortality, acute hospitalisation, and use of out-of-hours care: a registry-based observational study in Norway. British Journal of General Practice, 72(715), e84–e90. DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0340
Pereira Gray, D. J., Sidaway-Lee, K., White, E., Thorne, A., & Evans, P. H. (2018). Continuity of care with doctors—a matter of life and death? A systematic review of continuity of care and mortality. BMJ Open, 8(6), e021161. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021161
Nyweide, D. J., Anthony, D. L., Bynum, J. P. W., et al. (2013). Continuity of care and the risk of preventable hospitalization in older adults. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(20), 1879-1885. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.10059
