OtherFamily Medicine and the Health Care System

When Do Older Patients Change Primary Care Physicians?

James W. Mold, George E. Fryer and A. Michelle Roberts
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice November 2004, 17 (6) 453-460; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.17.6.453

Article Figures & Data

Tables

  • Table 1.

    CPCI Subtest Scores* by Duration of Primary Care Physician-Patient Relationship

    CPCI ScoresDuration of Relationship
    0 to 4 years5 to 9 years≥10 yearsP value†
    Comprehensiveness4.76 (0.74)5.04 (0.64)5.18 (0.60)<.0001
    Accumulated knowledge4.22 (0.93)4.73 (0.79)5.09 (0.70)<.0001
    Communication4.41 (0.85)4.89 (0.75)4.90 (0.78)<.0001
    Preference for reg doctor4.85 (0.67)5.04 (0.69)5.18 (0.66)<.0001
    Coordination4.62 (0.86)4.91 (0.88)4.94 (0.86).001
    Advocacy4.75 (0.70)4.70 (0.52)4.81 (0.48)<.0001
    Family context3.31 (1.37)4.07 (1.46)4.69 (1.08)<.0001
    Community context3.87 (1.33)4.28 (1.41)4.86 (1.02)<.0001
    Total score34.74 (5.42)37.77 (5.15)39.63 (4.48)<.0001

    • * Data are presented as mean (SD).

    • † Analysis of variance based upon actual duration of relationship (not categorized).

  • Table 2.

    Reasons for Changing Primary Care Physician by Duration of Relationship

    ReasonDuration of Relationship
    ≥10 years379 (47%)5 to 9 years 115 (14%)<5 years305 (38%)Year 1*114 (14%)
    Insurance/cost issues10%17%32%44%
    Patient moved17%23%9%3%
    Doctor left/died/retired62%38%25%40%
    Distance to doctor/hospital3%2%6%0%
    Dissatisfied with doctor4%15%16%5%
    Family/friend/doctor recommendation2%2%2%2%
    Problems with staff0%2%1%0%
    Other2%2%8%3%

    • * Patients who changed physicians during the first year of the study. (These same patients are included in one of the other columns as well.)

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