Continuity of care: University of Iowa Cleft Lip/Palate Interdisciplinary Team.
BACKGROUND
Patient satisfaction with the continuity of care is an important aspect of care delivery that may be evaluated to assess team effectiveness. This study was conducted to evaluate the number of patients seen by each team member, and the patients' perceived importance of continued care by the same health care provider during their overall treatment.


METHODS
A survey was constructed by the members of the Cleft Lip/Palate Team at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. One hundred and thirty-eight subjects were invited to participate during consecutive clinic days over a 5-month period; 101 subjects (73.1%) responded.


RESULTS
The survey revealed that the percentage of patients seen by each member of the team ranged from 92.1% (93/101) for the surgeon to 24.8% (25/101) for the genetic counselor. Strong agreement with continuity of care by health professionals ranged from 85.6% (83/97) for the surgeon, 63.7% (58/91) for the orthodontist, 63% (17/27) for the psychologist, to 23.1% (19/82) for the audiologist. The percentages dropped somewhat if the patients thought that they may have to wait longer for their next appointment.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a strong preference for continuity of health care.
Canady
J W
JW
Department of Surgery, General Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Means
M E
ME
Wayne
I
I
Thompson
S A
SA
Richman
L C
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001298:Audiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D013502:General Surgery; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007484:Iowa; D009970:Orthodontics; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011584:Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors