Access to care includes patient access to visits, non-visits, and information for care. Quality of care and avoidance of unwarranted hospitalizations and emergency department utilization are related to better access to primary care.

Why is this important?

• Improved access has been shown to improve clinician productivity and satisfaction
• Patients have increasing ability to comparison shop and will demand that clinicians offer good access and amenities such as booking appointments online.
• As we move toward risk and value-based care for populations, it will be increasingly important to keep patients out of high-cost settings.

How will these tools help?

• Access is one of the most important reasons why patients select and stay with a practice
• Improve patient satisfaction
• Improve continuity of care
• Increase staff and clinician job satisfaction
• Improve customer loyalty
• Higher likelihood that patients will see their own physician for all visits
• Competitive advantage (retail health clinics, telehealth)