The European journal of general practice
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Patients visiting their GPs exceptionally often (frequent attenders, FAs) have high rates of somatic disease, emotional distress, psychiatric illnesses and social problems and require a disproportionate amount of their GPs' time. ⋯ RCTs on intervention effects in frequent attenders to primary care used different patient populations, interventions, comparators and outcome measures. Consistent evidence on the effects of particular interventions in specific patient domains is lacking. A tailored approach based on in-depth analysis among GPs of potential reasons for frequent attendance may decrease consultation frequency. Research involving the screening and treating for FAs with MUS may be useful in future trials.
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Patients visiting their GPs exceptionally often (frequent attenders, FAs) have high rates of somatic disease, emotional distress, psychiatric illnesses and social problems and require a disproportionate amount of their GPs' time. ⋯ RCTs on intervention effects in frequent attenders to primary care used different patient populations, interventions, comparators and outcome measures. Consistent evidence on the effects of particular interventions in specific patient domains is lacking. A tailored approach based on in-depth analysis among GPs of potential reasons for frequent attendance may decrease consultation frequency. Research involving the screening and treating for FAs with MUS may be useful in future trials.