Continuity of Care
The coordinated, uninterrupted delivery of health and mental health services to an individual across different providers, settings, and time periods.
Full Definition
Continuity of care in community psychiatry refers to the seamless transition and ongoing coordination of treatment as a client moves between levels of care—such as from inpatient to outpatient to community support services. It is a core quality indicator in mental health systems and is frequently referenced in discharge planning documents, care coordination notes, and accreditation standards. Three dimensions are commonly distinguished: informational (shared records), relational (consistent therapeutic relationships), and management (coherent treatment plans). Editors must hyphenate the phrase when used as a compound modifier (e.g., 'continuity-of-care planning') but leave it unhyphenated as a noun phrase.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate only when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., 'continuity-of-care coordinator'). Do not use interchangeably with 'integrated care,' which implies a structural merger of services.
In Context
- "The discharge summary emphasised continuity of care through scheduled follow-up appointments with the outpatient team." — Inpatient psychiatric discharge summary
- "Gaps in continuity of care were identified as a contributing factor in the client's readmission." — Quality improvement report