Seeing the same doctor over time changes your health outcomes, not just your experience. A 2018 systematic review published in BMJ Open examined 22 high quality studies from nine countries. Eighteen of them, about 82 percent, found that patients with higher continuity of care had significantly lower death rates. The pattern held across very different health systems.

A regular doctor also improves the ordinary parts of care. You receive more of the screenings you are due for, you land in the hospital less often, and your history stays in one place instead of scattered across urgent care visits. Here is what the numbers show.

What the Research Says About Having a Regular Doctor

The Robert Graham Center analyzed federal survey data for the 2026 Primary Care Scorecard, co-funded by the Milbank Memorial Fund and The Physicians Foundation. Among adults living with chronic disease, having a usual source of primary care tracked with better results across the board.

Measure	Adults with a usual source of primary care
Received recommended preventive services	95.5%, compared with 67.6% without one
Likelihood of any hospitalization	20% lower
Likelihood of an emergency department visit	11% lower
Total health care costs	Nearly 54% lower

Why One Doctor Beats a Series of Strangers

A doctor who has seen you for years knows your baseline. They notice when your blood pressure drifts, when your weight changes, or when a symptom does not fit your usual pattern. A clinician meeting you for the first time has none of that context.

Continuity also keeps chronic disease management on track, because medication changes and lab trends stay in one record.

How Many Americans Do Not Have a Regular Doctor

Nearly 30 percent of U.S. adults reported no usual source of care in 2023, according to the same Scorecard. That share has stayed near record highs for several years.

Final Thoughts

The evidence points one direction. Patients who stay with one doctor get more prevention, fewer hospital stays, and live longer.

If you’ve been relying on urgent care, Yorktown Health Vernon Hills is accepting new patients. Schedule an annual physical with a primary care provider in Vernon Hills and take the first step toward establishing ongoing care.