Information from a previous visit with another physician was available only 22% of the time when patients saw another doctor, according to a multicentre prospective cohort study by researchers from Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg1013.pdf . Dr. Carl van Walraven and colleagues state that information exchange is crucial for continuity of patient care and may be associated with better outcomes. The study looked at availability of information for 3250 patients after discharge from hospital.
A related commentary http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg987.pdf by Dr. Robert Reid and Dr. Edward Wagner states that traditional ways of sharing health care information, such as referral letters, hospital discharges and visit summaries, are inadequate for providing continuous care. While electronic records will help, they conclude primary care physicians who have relationships with patients are also important.
Contact for research: Jennifer Paterson, Ottawa Health Research Institute, (613) 798-5555 ext 19691, jpaterson@ohri.ca for Dr. van Walraven
Contact for commentary: Joan DeClaire, Group Health Center for Health Studies, 206-287-2653, declaire.j@ghc.org for Dr. Robert Reid
Canadian Medical Association Journal