The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Observational Study
Changes in patient experience associated with growth and collaboration in general practice: observational study using data from the UK GP Patient Survey.
For the last few years, English general practices - which are, traditionally, small - have been encouraged to serve larger populations of registered patients by merging or collaborating with each other. Meanwhile, patient surveys have suggested that continuity of care and access to care are worsening. ⋯ Larger general practice size in England may be associated with slightly poorer continuity of care and may not improve patient access. Close collaborative working did not have any demonstrable effect on patient experience.
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Risk of harm from drinking increases with age as alcohol affects health conditions and medications that are common in later life. Different types of information and experiences affect older people's perceptions of alcohol's effects, which must be navigated when supporting healthier decisions on alcohol consumption. ⋯ Later life is a time when older people may be open to making changes to their alcohol use, particularly when suggested by practitioners. Older people can struggle to recognise potential risks or perceive little gain in acting on perceived risks. Such perceptions may be challenging to navigate in supportive discussions.