SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Hospitalization Rates With Comprehensive Care Physicians vs. Primary Care Physicians/Hospitalists

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This retrospective cohort study examined whether patients whose primary care physicians (PCPs) provide both inpatient and outpatient care have different hospitalization rates than patients whose PCPs only provide outpatient care. Using Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois claims data from 2016–2020, the researchers identified 8,989 outpatient-only PCPs and 3,191 physicians who cared for patients both in and out of the hospital (“CCP-like” physicians). After propensity score matching, they compared hospitalization rates in 2018–2020 for 29,702 patients, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity burden, and prior utilization.<br /><br />Overall, patients of CCP-like physicians had a 9% higher hospitalization rate than patients of PCP-only physicians. However, results differed by prior hospitalization history. Among patients with one hospitalization in the baseline period, CCP-like care was associated with an 11% higher hospitalization rate. For patients with two prior hospitalizations, there was no significant difference. For patients with three prior hospitalizations, CCP-like care was associated with a 23% lower hospitalization rate.<br /><br />The authors conclude that the effect of PCPs providing inpatient and outpatient care is not uniform: it may increase hospitalizations in lower-risk patients but reduce hospitalizations in patients with greater prior hospitalization. These findings suggest that comprehensive care physician models may be most beneficial when targeted to patients at higher risk of hospitalization. The study also notes the need for broader studies to test generalizability and examine other outcomes and risk factors.

Asset Subtitle

David O. Meltzer

Meta Tag

Author List Andrea P. Flores, David O. Meltzer, Hui Zhang

Category Research

Concept Hospitalization Rate

Concept Prior hospitalization

Concept Primary Care Physician

Concept Comprehensive Care Physician

Concept Inpatient Care

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago

Presenting Author David O. Meltzer

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

retrospective cohort study

primary care physicians

inpatient and outpatient care

hospitalization rates

propensity score matching

Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois

claims data

comorbidity burden

prior hospitalization history

comprehensive care physician models

Hospitalization Rate

Prior hospitalization

Primary Care Physician

Comprehensive Care Physician

Inpatient Care