The effect of relocation of a family practice center on one resident's experience in continuity of care.

In July 1977, the Hollywood Family Practice Unit of the University of Miami Department of Family Medicine was relocated eight miles from its former structure. Analysis of patient encounter data gathered by one resident during the 2 six-month periods prior to and following the move showed little effect of the relocation on five indexes of continuity of care. According to four indexes (percentage of revisits, percentage of revisits for new problems, percentage of revisits for previously recorded problems, and percentage of families with more than one member attending), the author experienced a gradual and uninterrupted increase in continuity of patient care. A fith index, percentage of psychosocial diagnoses, dropped slightly during the third study period. Overall continuity was low, however, when compared with established practices. Although family practice residencies should accept disruption in continuity of patient care due to their structure and purposes, steps are noted which can be taken to improve continuity of care.