Are new forms of primary health care organization (PHCO) associated with a better health care experience for patients with chronic diseases in Quebec?

Aim: To assess the extent to which new forms of PHC organization - Family medicine groups (FMG) and Network clinics (NC) -, established in Quebec since 2003, are associated with a better experience of care than other forms of PHC organization, for patients with chronic diseases. Methods: Two surveys were conducted in 2010 in two regions of Quebec: the first among 9,180 residents and the second among 606 PHC organizations. Indices of experience of care were constructed concerning accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness and perceived outcomes. Five categories of chronic diseases were selected. Descriptive analyses and multilevel regression analyses were conducted to compare the different forms of PHC organization. Results: Individuals with chronic diseases tend to report a better experience of care than those without chronic diseases for all dimensions except for accessibility. FMGs compare to group practices on all dimensions and NCs are associated with a poorer experience of care on most dimensions. Conclusion: Experience of care associated with FMGs and NCs is not superior to that associated with group practices.