Life expectancy may be increased by seeing the same GP
Patients with access to fully qualified GPs, higher funding of general practices and increased continuity of care, live longer according to new research.
These are the key findings of a study led by Professor Richard Baker at the University of Leicester which looked at most general practices across England.
Researchers have found that those living in areas of England with more fully qualified GPs and better-funded surgeries see a positive impact on their life expectancy.
The impact of a general practice on how long people live was studied by academics from the University of Leicester.
The life expectancy data in the National General Practice Profiles system was analysed as part of the study.
The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practice, indicated that deprivation and geography were “powerful predictors of life expectancy”.
More funding and a higher number of GPs were also “associated with higher life expectancy”.
Meanwhile, the number of GP registrars, receptionists and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) was not.
Other nursing staff (excluding ANPs), predicted lower life expectancy, according to the study.
Researchers have said that this reflects “the employment of more practice nurses per unit of population in deprived localities.”
Professor Baker said:
“The findings of the study .. suggest that health service policies should give priority to increasing the numbers of fully qualified GPs, increasing general practice funding per patient, and improving continuity and access.”
Other resource
Does shortage of GPs matter? A cross-sectional study of practice population life expectancy (Baker, 2024)
University of Leicester statement concerning this paper.
This blog is based on an article by Rebecca Carey in the Stourbridge News (16.4.24).
Last Reviewed on 16 April 2024