04 December 2009 Increased complexity of general practice care
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports, ‘General practice activity in Australia 2008–09’ and ‘10 year data tables’, released this week, the complexity of work being delivered by Australian GPs has dramatically increased in the past 10 years. Australian GPs are increasingly involved in the long term care of more patients with complex, multiple medical problems. This research reflects Australia’s demographics, which show an ageing population and an increase in chronic disease.
The report estimates that GPs managed around 25 million more problems in Australia in 2008–2009 than in 1990–2000. Yet since 2000, workforce data shows that GP supply has decreased by 2%, while specialist supply has increased by 17%.
In addition, our GP workforce is ageing, with the average age of GPs now over 50 years. We urgently need to increase the number of doctors working in general practice. To address this, general practice must be better recognised and rewarded and the number of general practice training places increased by a minimum of 100 every year in order to reach the year 2015 target of 1500 places.
To read the RACGP media release visit www.racgp.org.au/media2009/35169. The AIHW reports are available at www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/11013.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
