Continuity and Coordination of Care, Long-Term and Subacute Facilities

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports the role of family physicians in providing care for their patients following admission to long-term (e.g., nursing homes), subacute (e.g., rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities), or extended care (e.g., long-term acute care) facilities by continuing as attending or primary care physician and by coordinating care with other clinicians. Care coordination practices incorporate the provision of non-face-to-face services and processes that help patients transition back into the community when appropriate. The AAFP encourages family physicians to advocate for their patients' well-being by promoting the highest quality of health care in such facilities. (1982) (October 2023 COD)