Abstract Body

Background and purpose Continuity is a core value of primary care. In particular personal continuity is associated with significant benefits for patients and general practitioners (GP). However, it has become more challenging for GPs to provide personal continuity due to changes in society and healthcare. The aim of this study was to investigate how GPs and patients views on personal continuity have changed in the past two decades and how it can be improved.

Methods Digital surveys were distributed to 499 GPs and postal surveys were distributed to 1599 patients in the Netherlands. Data collection took place in 2019 and results were analysed with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results 257 GPs and 584 patients completed the surveys. Sixty percent of GPs found it generally important to see their own patients. Seventy-six percent of patients found it generally important to see their own GP. Suggestions for improving personal continuity were collected from 222 GPs and 378 patients. Suggestions were categorised into nine domains: (1) knowing the patient and mutual understanding, (2) GP accessibility and availability, (3) GP–patient communication, (4) GP responsibility, (5) triage, (6) more time for the patient, (7) transmural care, (8) team continuity and (9) GP vocational training.

Conclusions Both patients and GPs valued personal continuity and these views have not changed much in the past two decades. Both patients and GPs provided extensive input for improving personal continuity. This wide range of suggestions will be used in further research to develop a complex intervention for optimising personal continuity for older patients.