Sticking with your doctor long-term keeps you out of the ER — and saves money

A major retrospective study out of the Netherlands is putting hard numbers on something many clinicians have long suspected: the longer a patient stays with the same primary care practice, the better their health outcomes. Analyzing data from over 100,000 adults across 48 Dutch practices, researchers found that patients registered with the same practice for 15–20 years had 9%–21% lower odds of an emergency hospital admission compared to those registered for fewer than 5 years.

Interestingly, it wasn't about how often patients saw the same doctor — it was about the duration of the relationship. Greater concentration of visits with one physician wasn't significantly linked to fewer emergency admissions, but long-term registration was. Experts suggest this is because knowing a patient's baseline over years helps clinicians spot deterioration earlier and intervene before things escalate.

By the Numbers:

• 9%–21% lower odds of emergency admission for patients registered 15–20 years vs. fewer than 5 years
• Up to 39.7% reduction in hospital costs for patients registered 10–15 years with the same practice
• 6%–7% additional cost reduction linked to higher visit concentration with the same physician
• Less than 5% of US healthcare spending went to primary care in 2022

Why it matters: These findings carry real implications for how health systems prioritize care. Continuity isn't just a feel-good metric — it's a cost-saver and a potential lifesaver. As healthcare systems grapple with overcrowded ERs and rising costs, investing in stable, long-term primary care relationships may be one of the most effective levers available.