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Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleBackground Continuity of general practitioner (GP) care is commonly defined as a relationship between a single practitioner and a patient that extends beyond specific episodes of illness or disease [1]. Continuity is assumed to be asso-ciated with quality and efficiency in delivering health care, and therefore of great value [2]. This paper is concerned with personal or relational continuity given by one practi-tioner over a defined time. Such longitudinal care is often measured as the duration of the patient-doctor relation-ship [3]. Continuity of GP care is highly valued by patients [4], and is believed to have few negative consequences [5,6]. It is suggested to increase patient compliance [7], patient and doctor satisfaction [3,5], and comprehensiveness of care [8], and to enhance receipt of preventive services, to decrease duplication of services and the use of emergency departments [9], hospitalisation, and outpatient special