Assessing the impact of attachment to primary care and unattachment duration on healthcare utilization and cost in Ontario, Canada: a population-based retrospective cohort study using health administrative data

Our findings underscore the substantial impact of long-term unattachment on both individual patients and the healthcare system, with higher levels of chronic disease further exacerbating these effects. These results are crucial for shaping programs and policies to maximize their impact on reducing emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and overall healthcare costs.