Key points from article :
A study conducted at the University of Leicester investigated links between general practice (GP) characteristics and life expectancy in England.
Researchers analyzed life expectancy data of GP patient populations from 2015-2019, accounting for factors like ethnicity, deprivation, and region.
The study found that patients with better access to fully qualified GPs, increased practice funding, and greater continuity of care (seeing the same doctor consistently) tend to live longer.
The research suggests that England's declining numbers of fully qualified GPs and reduced continuity of care might be negatively affecting overall life expectancy.
Professor Baker emphasizes that increasing the number of fully qualified GPs, boosting funding for general practices, and improving patient continuity should be priorities in healthcare policy.
This study was published in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP).
