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Health promotion and public health
Quantitative study–other
Cognitive–behavioural therapy may reduce high rates of service use among frequent primary care attenders
  1. Christina L Goodwin1,
  2. Risa B Weisberg2
  1. 1VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  2. 2VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  1. Correspondence to : Professor Risa B Weisberg, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S. Huntington Avenue, 116 B (Psychology Service), Boston, MA, USA; risa.weisberg{at}va.gov

https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2016-102583

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    Commentary on: Malins S, Kai J, Atha C, et al. Cognitive behaviour therapy for long-term frequent attenders in primary care: a feasibility case series and treatment development study. Br J Gen Pract 2016;66:e729–36.OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    Implications for practice and research

    • Cognitive–behavioural therapy may hold promise as a means to reduce usage among frequent attenders (FAs) of primary care clinics.

    • This study adds to the growing literature showing that frequent attendance and high usage of primary care services may be modifiable behaviours.

    • Larger scale, controlled trials are needed.

    Context

    High users or FAs of healthcare clinics place significant organisational and financial strain on healthcare systems. It has been estimated that the top 3% of users account for 15% of primary care visits.1 Short-term frequent attendance may be related to acute causes, but long-term frequent attendance has been found to be associated with high health …

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.