Higher and more complex workload for GPs
A new report shows that GPs in Australia are coping with a higher workload, as well as an increase in complex consultations and management of chronic diseases.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's General practice activity in Australia 2009-10 report covers the results of over 1 million encounters between GPs and their patients. The data is collected annually for the Bettering the Evaluation And Care of Health (BEACH) research program.
RACGP President Professor Claire Jackson said that the report demonstrated significant long-term trends for general practice reflecting the healthcare that all Australian patients are receiving.
"The data included in these reports annually enable the general practice profession to review our priorities in order to better meet the needs of our patients. The report has shown that 83 percent of the Australian population continue to consult a GP at least once a year, with over 116.8 million general practice services paid by Medicare. This figure continues to grow each year and demonstrates the huge workload faced by Australia's GPs.
"General practice has a profound reach across the population and these results highlight the crucial role general practice plays in the community and reinforce the need for the government to continue to invest in the profession. Appropriately supporting high quality disease management is critical.
"The report shows that Australia's ageing population has contributed to the complexity of consultations. General practice continues to be the first point of contact for chronic disease management for an increasing number of Australians, with chronic problems accounting 35 percent of all problems managed," she said.
Professor Jackson said that the latest report also showed that use of e-health tools is rising in general practice.
"General practice remains one of the most highly computerised sectors in health. 98 percent of GPs use a computer for some clinical purposes, with almost two-thirds (64 percent) of BEACH GP participants using electronic records exclusively. This continuing trend demonstrates that advances in technology support the work GPs do and enables us to better connect with other healthcare providers," she said.
Professor Jackson said that improving the health of all people in Australia, through quality general practice and equitable access, is the College's core strategic objective.
"To achieve this, the College will continue to advocate forcefully for significant increases in the general practice workforce, stronger teams and better team work within general practice, better general practice infrastructure and a sound investment in e-health implementation," she said.
Source:
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)