Continuity and quality of care in type 2 XXXX : a Residency Research Network of South Texas study.

@entity1 @entity6
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between continuity of care and the quality of care received by @entity1 with @entity6 . STUDY DESIGN: We used a cross-sectional @entity1 survey and medical record review. POPULATION: Consecutive @entity1 with an established diagnosis of @entity6 presented to 1 of 6 clinics within the Residency Research Network of South Texas, a network of 6 family practice residencies affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Continuity was measured as the proportion of visits within the past year to the @entity1 's usual primary care provider. A quality of care score was computed based on the American @entity6 Association's Provider Recognition Program criteria from data collected through medical record review and @entity1 surveys. Each @entity1 was awarded points based on the presence or absence of each criterion. RESULTS: The continuity score was associated significantly with the quality of care score in the anticipated direction (r =.15, P =.04). @entity1 who had seen their usual providers within the past year were significantly more likely to have had an eye examination, a foot examination, 2 blood pressure measurements, and a lipid analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Continuity of care is associated with the quality of care received by @entity1 with @entity6 . Continuity of care may influence provider and @entity1 behaviors in ways that improve quality. Further research on how continuity contributes to improved quality is needed.
