UK is the best at coordinating care for sicker patients, Sweden the worst, shows survey

The UK and Switzerland provide the best all round care for adults with complex health problems with fewer gaps and errors shows a survey that compared patient care in 11 countries.

“Patients with primary care practices that help them navigate the care system and provide easy access are far less likely to encounter duplication, delays, and failures to share important information,” said Cathy Schoen, senior author of the analysis, which was published in the journal Health Affairs (doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0923).

More than 18 000 adult patients in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States took part in the 2011 survey sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund and conducted by the polling firm Harris Interactive. It looked at the care of adults with complex …