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Non-Communicable Diseases Units: Continuity of Care Factors Publisher



Barzegari J1 ; Aryankhesal A1, 2 ; Moinfar Z3 ; Abolhassani F4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, No. 6, Rashid Yasemi St. Vali–e Asr Ave, P.O Box: 1996713883, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Community and Preventive Medicine Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Public Health (Germany) Published:2021


Abstract

Aim: Continuity of care in healthcare systems is one of the success measures for improvement of health across communities, especially due to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the current century. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the continuity of care in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) units. Subject and method: A total of 418 patients from NCD prevention and control units at the Southern Tehran Healthcare Center were selected through systematic random sampling, of whom 189 were contacted successfully and interviewed about their satisfaction with the services received and distance from their place of residence to the health center. Results: About two-thirds of the participants were women. Nearly half of the service receivers were illiterate and educated to elementary level, and only 6 % had a high school diploma or higher. 94% were satisfied with the services provided. There was a positive linear correlation between the number of visits and the number of contacts during the period of observation (r = 0.53, P value < 0.001). Also, the length of patient follow-up by the health center and the number of visits during follow-up for patients with active records were significantly more than for those with inactive records (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that satisfaction with services alone was not a principal factor affecting continuity of care. Indeed, we conclude that free screening care should be designed for men, the employed, and educated people. More studies are needed to find out the reasons for non-attendance and the provision of solutions to reduce existing deficiencies. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.