It concluded the following:

For Canadians with chronic conditions, having a regular doctor doesn’t necessarily mean they’re receiving the safest or most supportive medical care. That doctor must also provide the basic elements of good primary care, two of which are: knowing their patient’s history and helping to coordinate other aspects of their care.

As the front line of chronic illness care, family doctors and other primary health care providers play a key role in helping these patients navigate the Canadian health care system. It’s important for Canadians with chronic conditions to know that the quality of their interactions with their doctor affects the quality of their care.

The bulletin also showed that, compared to sicker Canadians with a regular doctor, but without the basic elements of good care, people whose doctor knows their history and helps to coordinate their care were:

• More likely to get recommended routine tests to monitor their conditions,

• More likely to get clear advice about symptoms to watch for,

• More likely to have all their medications reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist,

• Less likely to have experienced a medication or medical error, and

• More likely to rate their care as excellent.