Trends in Continuity of Care and Associated Factors in Private Medical and Dental Services from 2003 to 2022

Abstract

Continuity of care is a key dimension of health-care quality. While a decline has been observed in Finnish public primary care less is known about developments in private medical and dental services.

Using register data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), we calculated the average Continuity of Care Index (COCI) for patients who had utilized medical or dental services with at least 3 contacts in two- and five-year intervals 2003-2022. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between COCI and age, sex, proportion of remote consultations, and place of residence.

Between 2003 and 2022, average COCI declined across all major physician groups, while remaining relatively stable among dentists. Among non-specialist physicians, lower COCI was associated with younger age, university hospital city residence, and higher proportion of remote contacts in younger patients. Among older age groups, high proportion of remote contacts was positively associated with COCI.

Continuity of care has declined in many private medical specialties over the past two decades, while remaining more stable in dental care. Older patients experienced better continuity than younger ones. 

Full text (in Finnish) (journal.fi)

Authors

Tero Kujanpää, Mikko Nurminen, Riitta Luoto, Hennamari Mikkola

Additional Information

• Peer-Reviewed: yes.
• Open Access: yes.
• Cite as: Kujanpää, T., Nurminen, M., Luoto, R., & Mikkola, H. (2026). Hoitosuhteiden jatkuvuuden muutostrendit ja jatkuvuuteen yhteydessä olevat tekijät yksityisissä lääkäri- ja hammaslääkäripalveluissa. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti, 63(1), 225-239. https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.156702