poll
newsGP weekly poll: Help us help Australia’s GPs
Each week, newsGP will canvas GP views on a range of topics, from hot button medical issues to the way the college engages with membership.
A recent story detailing a patient attack on GP Dr Alvin Chua generated a strong audience response. newsGP asks how common it is to encounter violence in general practice.
newsGP weekly poll
Have you been subjected to patient violence during your work as a GP?
newsGP weekly poll 19–26 September 2022 (Votes: 1297)
newsGP weekly poll
Do you think the closure of NPS MedicineWise will negatively impact the safe use of medicine in Australia?
The poll is closed.
newsGP weekly poll 12–19 September 2022 (Votes: 961)
newsGP weekly poll
What is your main source of income outside of Medicare and private billing?
The poll is closed.
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs funding |
| 9% |
| Workers’ compensation |
| 24% |
| Grant funding |
| 1% |
| Practice Incentive Program payments |
| 15% |
| Other employment |
| 48% |
newsGP weekly poll 5–12 September 2022 (Votes: 1494)
newsGP weekly poll
What proportion of your antenatal care appointments last longer than 20 minutes?
The poll is closed.
| More than 75% |
| 58% |
| Between 50–75% |
| 23% |
| Between 25–50% |
| 9% |
| Less than 25% |
| 8% |
newsGP weekly poll 29 August – 5 September 2022 (Votes: 676)
newsGP weekly poll
What proportion of eligible patients have made use of expanded access to self-collection for cervical cancer screening?
The poll is closed.
| The majority have participated |
| 8% |
| Around half have participated |
| 3% |
| Less than half have participated |
| 20% |
| None have participated |
| 67% |
newsGP weekly poll 22–29 August 2022 (Votes: 1355)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you been asked to provide a named referral for a patient to be seen in a public hospital outpatient clinic?
The poll is closed.
newsGP weekly poll 15–22 August 2022 (Votes: 1615)
newsGP weekly poll
Do you think you will be privately billing more or fewer patients in 12 months’ time?
The poll is closed.
| Privately billing more |
| 84% |
| Privately billing fewer |
| 2% |
| About the same as now |
| 10% |
| Unsure |
| 2% |
newsGP weekly poll 8–15 August 2022 (Votes: 951)
newsGP weekly poll
Which of the RACGP’s 2022 Advocacy Priorities would most benefit your practice?
The poll is closed.
| Reintroducing rebates for longer telephone consultations |
| 11% |
| Funding to strengthen rural healthcare |
| 12% |
| Increased Medicare rebates for longer appointments |
| 64% |
| Introducing funding for a GP follow-up within seven days of hospital admission |
| 10% |
newsGP weekly poll 1–8 August 2022 (Votes: 789)
newsGP weekly poll
How often are you altering your preferred prescriptions due to the ongoing medicines shortage?
The poll is closed.
| At least once per day |
| 14% |
| Weekly |
| 39% |
| At least once per month |
| 25% |
| Rarely or not at all |
| 20% |
newsGP weekly poll 25 July – 1 August 2022 (Votes: 977)
newsGP weekly poll
Do you think the decision to automatically classify MM2 as a Distribution Priority Area (DPA) will help with current workforce challenges?
The poll is closed.
newsGP weekly poll 18–25 July 2022 (Votes: 1598)
newsGP weekly poll
Which patients should be able to access Medicare rebates for longer telephone consultations (>20 minutes)?
The poll is closed.
| All patients |
| 79% |
| Patients unable to access face-to-face or video consultations |
| 14% |
| Only patients eligible for COVID-19 antivirals |
| 3% |
| None |
| 1% |
newsGP weekly poll 11–18 July 2022 (Votes: 1025)
newsGP weekly poll
How frequently do you provide mental health consultations?
The poll is closed.
| At least once per day |
| 83% |
| Weekly |
| 11% |
| Rarely |
| 1% |
| Never |
| 2% |
newsGP weekly poll 4–11 July 2022 (Votes: 1103)
newsGP weekly poll
What do you think MBS indexation for the 2022–23 financial year should have been?
The poll is closed.
| 1.6% |
| 2% |
| 5% |
| 15% |
| Between 5–10% |
| 27% |
| More than 10% |
| 54% |
newsGP weekly poll 27 June – 4 July 2022 (Votes: 788)
newsGP weekly poll
Have any of your patients had issues accessing COVID antivirals (via the PBS) after you have prescribed them?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 23% |
| No |
| 38% |
| I haven’t prescribed any |
| 37% |
newsGP weekly poll 20–27 June 2022 (Votes: 886)
newsGP weekly poll
When is your next available patient appointment?
The poll is closed.
| Today |
| 18% |
| Sometime this week |
| 26% |
| In 1–2 weeks |
| 28% |
| More than two weeks away |
| 26% |
newsGP weekly poll 13–20 June 2022 (Votes: 803)
newsGP weekly poll
How often do you find something clinically useful when checking a patient’s My Health Record?
The poll is closed.
| Frequently |
| 17% |
| Around half the time |
| 21% |
| Rarely |
| 38% |
| Never |
| 22% |
newsGP weekly poll 6–13 June 2022 (Votes: 638)
newsGP weekly poll
Will your practice be administering free flu vaccinations outside of those eligible for the NIP?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 83% |
| No |
| 9% |
| Unsure |
| 5% |
| Ineligible |
| 1% |
newsGP weekly poll 30 May – 6 June 2022 (Votes: 1805)
newsGP weekly poll
Should healthcare workers have the option of receiving a winter COVID booster vaccine?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 84% |
| No |
| 7% |
| Only those conducting face-to-face consultations |
| 5% |
| Only if doses will otherwise go to waste |
| 1% |
newsGP weekly poll 23–30 May 2022 (Votes: 1509)
newsGP weekly poll
What impact do you think the Federal Election result will have on general practice?
The poll is closed.
| Positive |
| 34% |
| Negative |
| 20% |
| No impact |
| 22% |
| Unsure |
| 22% |
newsGP weekly poll 16–23 May 2022 (Votes: 1481)
newsGP weekly poll
What are appropriate public health measures should COVID cases spike and the healthcare system be placed under further pressure?
The poll is closed.
| Reinstitution of public mask mandates |
| 30% |
| Mask mandates and density limits |
| 39% |
| All of the above, plus a return to lockdown |
| 11% |
| The current policy settings are sufficient |
| 18% |
newsGP weekly poll 9–16 May 2022 (Votes: 560)
newsGP weekly poll
What level of uptake has your practice had for seasonal flu vaccinations to date?
The poll is closed.
| More than previous years |
| 20% |
| Similar to previous years |
| 50% |
| Less than previous years |
| 22% |
| Unsure |
| 5% |
newsGP weekly poll 2–9 May 2022 (Votes: 328)
newsGP weekly poll
What clinical aid tools do you use during day-to-day practice to automate repetitive tasks?
The poll is closed.
| Macro-enabled hardware |
| 2% |
| Macro-enabled software |
| 26% |
| Both |
| 15% |
| Neither |
| 56% |
newsGP weekly poll 25 April – 2 May 2022 (Votes: 265)
newsGP weekly poll
What proportion of your practice’s COVID vaccines are currently being thrown away?
The poll is closed.
| Less than 25% |
| 48% |
| Between 25–50% |
| 27% |
| Between 50–75% |
| 10% |
| More than 75% |
| 13% |
newsGP weekly poll 18–25 April 2022 (Votes: 945)
newsGP weekly poll
Which of the RACGP’s Federal Election priorities do you think is most important?
The poll is closed.
| Increased Medicare rebates for patients who need longer appointments |
| 48% |
| Retain rebates for telephone consultations |
| 32% |
| Introduce a GP follow-up appointment within seven days of a hospital admission or ED visit |
| 3% |
| Strengthen rural healthcare |
| 16% |
newsGP weekly poll 11–18 April 2022 (Votes: 720)
newsGP weekly poll
How often do you see patients who fit the criteria for oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19?
The poll is closed.
| At least once per day |
| 7% |
| At least once per week |
| 14% |
| At least once per month |
| 19% |
| I have not seen any |
| 59% |
newsGP weekly poll 4–11 April 2022 (Votes: 1010)
newsGP weekly poll
What was your response to the level of general practice funding contained in this year’s Federal Budget?
The poll is closed.
| Highly satisfied |
| 4% |
| Satisfied |
| 3% |
| Dissatisfied |
| 15% |
| Extremely dissatisfied |
| 76% |
newsGP weekly poll 28 March – 4 April 2022 (Votes: 663)
newsGP weekly poll
How often do you encounter victim-survivors of domestic and family violence during consultations?
The poll is closed.
| At least once per week |
| 36% |
| At least once per month |
| 23% |
| Rarely |
| 32% |
| Never |
| 7% |
newsGP weekly poll 21–28 March 2022 (Votes: 1004)
newsGP weekly poll
Would your practice consider introducing mixed billing?
The poll is closed.
| We already fully privately or mix bill |
| 60% |
| Yes |
| 24% |
| No |
| 8% |
| Unsure |
| 5% |
newsGP weekly poll 14–21 March 2022 (Votes: 665)
newsGP weekly poll
What is needed to increase the pace of the paediatric COVID vaccination rollout?
The poll is closed.
| Enhanced public health messaging and advertising |
| 25% |
| Increased Medicare rebates to encourage uptake among general practices |
| 10% |
| In-reach clinics at schools |
| 48% |
| Support for pop-up clinics at convenient times and locations |
| 15% |
newsGP weekly poll 7–14 March 2022 (Votes: 1502)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, do you support the decriminalisation of illicit drug use?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 34% |
| No |
| 40% |
| Only certain drugs |
| 19% |
| Only in specific circumstances |
| 5% |
newsGP weekly poll 1–7 March 2022 (Votes: 1165)
newsGP weekly poll
What is the most pressing change needed in general practice to better serve Australian women?
The poll is closed.
| More female GPs |
| 7% |
| Increased Medicare remuneration for long consultations |
| 65% |
| Better access to sexual and reproductive health services |
| 14% |
| Enhanced preventive screening programs |
| 12% |
newsGP weekly poll 21–28 February 2022 (Votes: 732)
newsGP weekly poll
Do you intend to make changes to your clinical practice in the next year?
The poll is closed.
| No, hours and services will remain the same |
| 40% |
| Yes, I plan to reduce my hours |
| 36% |
| Yes, I will look for non-clinical work |
| 11% |
| Yes, I will retire |
| 10% |
newsGP weekly poll 14–21 February 2022 (Votes: 705)
newsGP weekly poll
Has your practice signed up to administer Novavax?
The poll is closed.
| Yes, and we have already received our first shipment |
| 8% |
| Yes, and we expect delivery by 21 February |
| 16% |
| No, we are waiting to see if there is demand |
| 17% |
| No, and we are unlikely to take part |
| 57% |
newsGP weekly poll 7–14 February 2022 (Votes: 1881)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you experienced any negative impact on your own wellbeing as a result of COVID-19?
The poll is closed.
| No |
| 17% |
| Yes, my physical health has deteriorated |
| 16% |
| Yes, my mental health has deteriorated |
| 31% |
| Yes, my work/life balance has deteriorated |
| 35% |
newsGP weekly poll 31 January – 7 February 2022 (Votes: 1350)
newsGP weekly poll
How would you describe your practice’s current level of access to rapid antigen tests?
The poll is closed.
| Inadequate |
| 80% |
| Uncertain |
| 10% |
| Sufficient |
| 5% |
| High |
| 3% |
newsGP weekly poll 24–31 January 2022 (Votes: 3393)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, do you think pharmacists should be allowed to prescribe antibiotics?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 7% |
| No |
| 72% |
| If they have undergone training |
| 13% |
| Only for certain conditions |
| 6% |
newsGP weekly poll 17–24 January 2022 (Votes: 1176)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, have you had to be furloughed during the Omicron wave due to COVID exposure?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 31% |
| No |
| 27% |
| No, but other practice staff have |
| 34% |
| More than once |
| 6% |
newsGP weekly poll 10–17 January 2022 (Votes: 1008)
newsGP weekly poll
Did your practice receive its paediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses on time?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 35% |
| Yes, but not as many as we would like |
| 12% |
| No |
| 36% |
| Our practice is not part of the rollout |
| 15% |
newsGP weekly poll 20–27 December 2021 (Votes: 969)
newsGP weekly poll
Will your practice offer COVID vaccinations in 2022?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 63% |
| No |
| 18% |
| Only if Medicare support increases |
| 12% |
| Undecided |
| 4% |
newsGP weekly poll 13–20 December 2021 (Votes: 1339)
newsGP weekly poll
What would you most like to see as a feature of Australia’s permanent telehealth scheme?
The poll is closed.
| Fully-funded telephone consultations |
| 55% |
| The option to bill privately |
| 21% |
| Support for GP-to-GP referrals |
| 2% |
| Maintaining the ‘existing relationship’ requirement |
| 20% |
newsGP weekly poll 6–13 December 2021 (Votes: 982)
newsGP weekly poll
What will be the most important part of the COVID vaccine rollout in 5–11-year-olds?
The poll is closed.
| Effective public health communication |
| 41% |
| Consistent supply/access |
| 6% |
| Funding support |
| 8% |
| Clear clinical guidance |
| 43% |
newsGP weekly poll 29 November – 6 December 2021 (Votes: 1172)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you been exposed to increased patient aggression or intimidation in recent months?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 60% |
| No |
| 18% |
| Not personally, but my colleagues have |
| 5% |
| Our practice staff has |
| 15% |
newsGP weekly poll 22–29 November 2021 (Votes: 1215)
newsGP weekly poll
What proportion of patients does your clinic bulk bill?
The poll is closed.
| Almost all |
| 42% |
| More than half |
| 28% |
| Less than half |
| 18% |
| Almost none |
| 10% |
newsGP weekly poll 15–22 November 2021 (Votes: 1295)
newsGP weekly poll
Has a patient attempted to coerce you into a type of COVID vaccine fraud?
The poll is closed.
| No |
| 53% |
| Yes, I’ve been offered inducements to falsely record a vaccination |
| 5% |
| Yes, I’ve been pressured to provide an inappropriate exemption |
| 35% |
| Yes, I’ve been asked to commit another form of vaccine fraud |
| 5% |
newsGP weekly poll 8–15 November 2021 (Votes: 1105)
newsGP weekly poll
What do GPs need to care for COVID patients in the community?
The poll is closed.
| More clinical guidance |
| 6% |
| Boosted financial support |
| 6% |
| Greater access to PPE |
| 2% |
| All of the above |
| 84% |
newsGP weekly poll 1–8 November 2021 (Votes: 1050)
newsGP weekly poll
Will having access to the Moderna COVID vaccine in general practice impact the rollout?
The poll is closed.
| Yes, many patients ask about it |
| 15% |
| No, patients are happy with the available options |
| 16% |
| Yes, once the booster program begins |
| 9% |
| No, it won’t affect vaccine-hesitant patients |
| 58% |
newsGP weekly poll 25 October – 1 November 2021 (Votes: 2036)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, how do you feel about Australia starting to open up?
The poll is closed.
| Excited/relieved |
| 33% |
| Anxious |
| 38% |
| Conflicted |
| 21% |
| Ambivalent |
| 7% |
newsGP weekly poll 18–25 October 2021 (Votes: 3610)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you encountered patients who say they are ‘waiting for Novavax’?
The poll is closed.
| Never |
| 12% |
| Rarely |
| 14% |
| Once a week |
| 16% |
| Daily |
| 55% |
newsGP weekly poll 11–18 October 2021 (Votes: 1273)
newsGP weekly poll
What is the main barrier GPs face when prescribing medicinal cannabis?
The poll is closed.
| Lack of knowledge |
| 26% |
| The prescribing process is too difficult |
| 24% |
| Too costly |
| 6% |
| Lack of evidence |
| 42% |
newsGP weekly poll 4–11 October 2021 (Votes: 1465)
newsGP weekly poll
How has working as a GP during the pandemic affected your mental health?
The poll is closed.
| Not at all |
| 13% |
| Somewhat |
| 34% |
| Greatly |
| 38% |
| I’ve had to take time off work |
| 13% |
newsGP weekly poll 27 September – 4 October 2021 (Votes: 1028)
newsGP weekly poll
Should general practice exams be restricted only to people undertaking a Fellowship program?
The poll is closed.
| Yes, this is the same as other specialties |
| 54% |
| No, the previous arrangement was better |
| 25% |
| I don’t feel strongly about this issue |
| 8% |
| I want to see how the new system works before deciding |
| 11% |
newsGP weekly poll 20–27 September 2021 (Votes: 1637)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, how concerned are you about the health impacts of climate change?
The poll is closed.
| Very |
| 58% |
| Somewhat |
| 8% |
| Not at all |
| 26% |
| I don’t know enough about it |
| 6% |
newsGP weekly poll 13–20 September 2021 (Votes: 3309)
newsGP weekly poll
Should GPs have restrictions on being able to prescribe ivermectin for COVID-19?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 13% |
| No |
| 54% |
| Yes, but it should apply to all doctors |
| 29% |
| Only while there is a shortage |
| 1% |
newsGP weekly poll 6–13 September 2021 (Votes: 1108)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you felt more confident administering COVID-19 vaccinations since the no-fault indemnity scheme was finalised?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 29% |
| No, I was not overly concerned about adverse events |
| 18% |
| No, it is still my patient if something goes wrong |
| 37% |
| Indifferent |
| 14% |
newsGP weekly poll 30 August – 6 September 2021 (Votes: 1388)
newsGP weekly poll
For what reason are female patients most commonly presenting at the moment?
The poll is closed.
| Mental health |
| 65% |
| Alcohol and other drugs |
| 4% |
| Screenings/preventive care |
| 8% |
| Questions about vaccination |
| 21% |
newsGP weekly poll 23–30 August 2021 (Votes: 4634)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, do you agree with mandatory COVID vaccinations in the workplace?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 52% |
| No |
| 35% |
| In settings where employees will likely be exposed to the virus |
| 7% |
| Only people who work closely with vulnerable cohorts |
| 4% |
newsGP weekly poll 16–23 August 2021 (Votes: 1795)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you noticed a recent reduction in COVID vaccine hesitancy in your area?
The poll is closed.
| Yes (COVID hotspot) |
| 34% |
| No (COVID hotspot) |
| 12% |
| Yes (no community transmission) |
| 30% |
| No (no community transmission) |
| 21% |
newsGP weekly poll 9–16 August 2021 (Votes: 1177)
newsGP weekly poll
How often do patients fail to disclose respiratory symptoms during triage?
The poll is closed.
| At least once per day |
| 66% |
| At least once per week |
| 26% |
| Rarely |
| 5% |
| Never |
| 2% |
newsGP weekly poll 2–9 August 2021 (Votes: 1141)
newsGP weekly poll
Are you happy with the incoming changes to CPD?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 4% |
| No |
| 72% |
| Undecided |
| 19% |
| Indifferent |
| 3% |
newsGP weekly poll 26 July – 2 August 2021 (Votes: 2526)
newsGP weekly poll
Are you fully vaccinated against COVID-19?
The poll is closed.
| I am, as is the rest of our practice |
| 37% |
| I am, but some of my colleagues aren’t |
| 26% |
| I’ve received one dose |
| 22% |
| No one in my practice is |
| 14% |
newsGP weekly poll 19–26 July 2021 (Votes: 896)
newsGP weekly poll
Have mandatory reporting laws ever dissuaded you from seeking mental health support?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 52% |
| No |
| 16% |
| No (WA-based) |
| 2% |
| I haven’t needed any |
| 28% |
newsGP weekly poll 12–19 July 2021 (Votes: 1154)
newsGP weekly poll
Have you been fit-tested for a P2/N95 mask yet?
The poll is closed.
| Yes, every GP in my practice has |
| 3% |
| Yes, but some colleagues have not |
| 2% |
| No, but fit-testing has been scheduled |
| 0% |
| No and fit-testing has not been scheduled |
| 93% |
newsGP weekly poll 5–12 July 2021 (Votes: 313)
newsGP weekly poll
Does your practice have a reconciliation action plan?
The poll is closed.
| Yes |
| 8% |
| No, but we would consider it |
| 24% |
| No, and unlikely to consider it |
| 60% |
| I work in an ACCHO or AMS |
| 6% |
newsGP weekly poll 28 June – 5 July 2021 (Votes: 1258)
newsGP weekly poll
What will attract more medical graduates to general practice?
The poll is closed.
| Increased remuneration |
| 79% |
| Less paperwork |
| 7% |
| Access to paid leave |
| 6% |
| Greater exposure to primary care |
| 6% |
newsGP weekly poll 21–28 June 2021 (Votes: 659)
newsGP weekly poll
What is the main barrier to conducting video-based telehealth?
The poll is closed.
| Practice infrastructure |
| 32% |
| Technical issues |
| 25% |
| Patient preference |
| 33% |
| Lack of training/experience |
| 8% |
newsGP weekly poll 14–21 June 2021 (Votes: 883)
newsGP weekly poll
Do you support disease-specific MBS item numbers?
The poll is closed.
| No – this fragments care |
| 59% |
| No – for other reasons |
| 15% |
| Yes – for specific patient needs |
| 5% |
| Yes – with appropriate rebates |
| 19% |
newsGP weekly poll 7–14 June 2021 (Votes: 993)
newsGP weekly poll
As a GP, what are you most concerned about professionally?
The poll is closed.
| Work–life balance |
| 45% |
| MBS compliance |
| 17% |
| Lack of resources |
| 13% |
| Vexatious complaints |
| 24% |
newsGP poll 31 May – 7 June 2021 (Votes: 1420)
newsGP weekly poll
What is the largest challenge impacting the COVID vaccine rollout?
The poll is closed.
| Vaccine hesitancy |
| 69% |
| Limited number of doses |
| 21% |
| Inconsistent supply of consumables |
| 3% |
| Lack of MBS support |
| 4% |
newsGP poll 24–31 May 2021 (Votes: 667)
newsGP weekly poll
Would you access professional indemnity insurance through the RACGP?
The poll is closed.
| Yes, very likely |
| 23% |
| Yes, somewhat likely |
| 16% |
| No, very unlikely |
| 41% |
| No, somewhat unlikely |
| 18% |
newsGP poll 17–24 May 2021 (Votes: 1048)
newsGP weekly poll
What is the main priority for GPs over the next 12 months?
The poll is closed.
| Completing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout |
| 26% |
| Finding a permanent solution for telehealth |
| 7% |
| More funding to better support primary care |
| 18% |
| Avoiding burnout |
| 48% |