A new Commonwealth Fund analysis examines how primary care physicians coordinate care across 10 countries, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in communication between providers. Effective care coordination is especially important for patients with chronic conditions, helping connect primary care, specialty care, hospitals, and social services to improve health outcomes. The study explores how health systems support these connections and where gaps remain.
Using data from the 2025 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians, researchers found that while most physicians can electronically exchange information with providers outside their practice, timely communication remains inconsistent. Many primary care physicians reported delays in receiving information from specialists, and coordination practices varied substantially across countries.
The report is based on survey responses from primary care physicians in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The survey examined care coordination practices, information sharing, technology use, and barriers to collaboration across health care settings. Data collection and analysis were conducted by SSRS in partnership with the Commonwealth Fund as part of its ongoing International Health Policy Survey program, which provides comparative insights into health care delivery and physician experiences across countries.
The authors thank Rob Manley, Robyn Rapoport, Molly-Fisch-Freidman, and Phoebe Henninger of SSRS and Aishu Balaji, Jen Wilson, Paul Frame, Sam Chase, Chris Hollander, Corinne Lewis, Celli Horstman, Sarah Klein, Tony Shih, Kristen Kolb, and Karina Polanco all of the Commonwealth Fund.