Primary care physicians in the U.S. report difficulty coordinating care

A new survey of physicians from 11 high-income countries finds that primary care doctors in the U.S. still struggle to coordinate care with other providers. Here’s more: 

• With specialists: At least 70% of physicians in Norway, France, and New Zealand receive information from specialists about changes to their patients’ medications or care, compared to 49% of doctors in the U.S.
• With social services: About 40% of physicians in the U.S. regularly coordinate with social services, such as those providing housing or meals. About two-thirds of doctors in the U.K. and 74% of those in Germany do so. 
• IT operability: Although physicians in the U.S. are more likely to offer patients the ability to schedule appointments and refill prescriptions online, only about half of report being able to exchange lab tests and other patient information with physicians outside their practice.