LATEST AIHW REPORT CONFIRMS KEY ROLE OF GPS
The just released AIHW report, General Practice Activity in Australia 2006-07, utilising data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program’s national survey confirms that GPs are the lynchpins of primary health care in the Australian community, says AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua.
Dr Capolingua said the report backs the AMA’s recent call for greater Government support of our dedicated and hardworking GP workforce.
“GPs are uniquely skilled to provide holistic care for patients” says Dr Capolingua, and “When Australians get sick they want to see their local GP”.
“Australians deserve to continue to receive quality health care from General Practice. Instead, we are seeing more and more attempts to promote lesser-trained and lesser-skilled substitutes for GPs”
“We have to put an end to this health policy laziness”, Dr Capolingua said, calling for united recognition from all Australian governments and national support for GPs in the vital role they play.
The report showed that:
80 per cent of Australians visit a GP at least once a year and spend more time with their GPs than people in many other countries;
GPs are playing a key role in the fight against chronic disease;
Baby boomers and patients over 75 are needing more time with their GPs;
An increase in general practice nurse activities being provided in conjunction with the GP consultation.
While prescribing rates in general have decreased there has been a marked increase in the prescribing rates for drugs related to cardiovascular disease, depression, cholesterol levels and diabetes; and
GPs are seeing more overweight and obese patients.
The Government needs to support GPs and could make strong progress by expanding practice nurse incentives to all GPs and reforming GP consultation items so as to reduce the red tape that is a disincentive to GPs taking up chronic disease management programs.
Any reform of the MBS must involve consultation with GPs.
For more of the AMA’s press release on this issue go to http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-7BC49P
For a copy of the report go to http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10574