Johanna Shapiro, PhD
Continuity is one of the key elements that constitute the construct of primary care (Franks, Clancy, & Nutting, 1997; Rivo, Saultz, Wartman, & DeWitt, 1994), and is foundational to the concept of a “personal doctor” (Taylor, 1997). But in an era of managed care and large group practice, it is an increasingly rare commodity to obtain (Taylor, 1997). Family medicine is particularly concerned about continuity, and training programs worry that their preparation of residents may be inadequate in this respect.