Interpersonal Primary Care Continuity for Chronic Conditions Is Associated with Fewer Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits Among Medicaid Enrollees

2023

Authors Gaglioti, Anne H, Li, Chaohua, Baltrus, Peter T, She, Zhaowei, Douglas, Megan D, Moore, Miranda A, Rao, Arthi, Cheng Immergluck, Lilly, Ayer, Turgay, Bazemore, Andrew W, Rust, George, Mack, Dominic H
Topics Achieving Health System Goals, Role of Primary Care
Volume 36(2):303-312
Source Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

Interpersonal primary care continuity or chronic condition continuity (CCC) is associated with improved health outcomes. Ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSC) are best managed in a primary care setting, and chronic ACSC (CACSC) require management over time. However, current measures do not measure continuity for specific conditions or the impact of continuity for chronic conditions on health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to design a novel measure of CCC for CACSC in primary care and determine its association with health care utilization.