title: Factors associated to experienced continuity of care between primary and outpatient secondary care in the Catalan public healthcare system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze patient's reported elements of relational, informational and managerial (dis)continuity between primary and outpatient secondary care and to identify associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study by means of a survey of a random sample of 1500 patients attended in primary and secondary care for the same condition. The study settings consisted of three health areas of the Catalan health system. Data were collected in 2010 using the CCAENA questionnaire, which identifies patients' experiences of continuity of care. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elements of continuity of care were experienced by most patients. However, elements of discontinuity were also identified: 20% and 15% were seen by more than one primary or secondary care physician, respectively. Their secondary care physician or both professionals were identified as responsible for their care by 40% and 45% of users, respectively. Approximately 20% reported a lack of information transfer. Finally, 72% of secondary care consultations were due to primary care referral, whilst only 36% reported a referral back to primary care. Associated factors were healthcare setting, age, sex, perceived health status and disease duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Users generally reported continuity of care, although elements of discontinuity were also identified, which can be partially explained by the healthcare setting and some individual factors. Elements of discontinuity should be addressed to better adapt care to patients' needs.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Políticas de Salud y Servicios Sanitarios, Servicio de Estudios y Prospectivas en Políticas de Salud, Consorcio de Salud y Social de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain. maller@consorci.org
authors.forename: Marta-Beatriz
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Aller
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waibel
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coderch-Lassaletta
authors.forename: Inma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pérez
authors.forename: Josep Ramon
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Llopart
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Colomés
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferran
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garcia-Subirats
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vázquez Navarrete
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012494:Sampling Studies; D063127:Secondary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult