I.e. Who goes to their GP most often?
Frequent attenders in primary care are patients using GP services much more than average (e.g. 10+ times yearly).
They are often older, female, with complex, long-term conditions (e.g. diabetes, chronic pain, heart and respiratory disease), and significant mental health needs (depression, anxiety) – alongside social factors like isolation or unmet support.
This combination can lead to frequent GP attendance for both physical and psychological concerns.
These patients use a disproportionate amount of resources (40-50% of visits), often contacting practice staff more than just the GP, and may have many diagnoses on theor problem lists.
Frequent attenders account for a large proportion of GP appointments, impacting service efficiency.
Understanding them helps practices design better, personalised care, potentially reducing reliance on emergency services.
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