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Health of the Nation: ‘What happens when general practice is valued and funded’
Much-needed reform looks to be on the horizon as GPs’ job satisfaction, workforce growth and better funding all stand out in the new report, unveiled this morning.
This year’s Health of the Nation report reveals positive findings for the general practice workforce, with an increase in GPs recommending it as a career.
The future of general practice is looking brighter, with the RACGP looking forward to a ‘positive revival’ of the profession, as revealed in the new General Practice: Health of the Nation report.
Officially launched in Canberra on 8 October, the RACGP’s annual Health of the Nation report is Australia’s one-of-a-kind insight to the state of general practice, with more than 3000 GPs and GPs in training providing feedback for the 2024 report.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said this year’s findings mark several significant outcomes pointing to positive reform for the healthcare system.
‘I’m pleased to reveal early signs of a revival in Australian general practice – if the Federal Government acts now, it can accelerate this turnaround to get more GPs into communities, caring for patients,’ Dr Higgins said.
Job satisfaction and general practice training
Among the key findings from this year’s Health of the Nation, is that general practice remains Australia’s most accessed health service, with more than 22 million people visiting a GP in 2023 and 54% able to see a GP within 24 hours when they urgently need to.
GPs’ job satisfaction has also improved – up from 66% in 2023 to 73%, and 44% recommend general practice as a career, compared to 38% in 2023.
Dr Higgins told newsGP these findings indicate the positive trajectory that general practice is following.
‘We are seeing green shoots popping up in general practice, and we’ll continue to call on the Government to help them grow,’ she said.
‘This includes funding to train a further 100 GPs annually for five years to boost the workforce, and to implement initiatives to attract and retain our workforce.
‘We know funding gets results. See what happens when general practice is valued and funded? We deliver.’
The report reveals the RACGP is on track to train a record number of GPs in 2025, and the college is using these findings to leverage its advocacy asks.
These include Federal Government funding to provide an additional 500 places through the Australian General Practice Training Program to continue to grow the GP workforce, as well as incentives and work entitlements including parental and study leave to attract more GPs in training.
Aboriginal health services
Positive results of improved job satisfaction in the 2024 report are also marked by the experiences of GPs working in Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs), who report the highest job satisfaction of 88%, compared to 73% overall.
More GPs working in ACCHOs recommend general practice as a career (68% compared to 44%), and they also report having the best work–life balance and lowest rates of burnout.
Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Dr Karen Nicholls welcomed the findings.
‘These may be surprising to some, but they won’t be to those working in ACCHOs – they are one of the most rewarding places to work as a GP,’ Dr Nicholls said.
‘ACCHOs provide high-quality clinical and cultural healthcare designed by the community, for the community. We can learn a lot from their approach to designing health services that deliver what a community really needs, which is what all GPs want to be able to do.’
With the RACGP working to grow the GP workforce in regional, rural and remote Australia, including through incentives to place GPs training in communities and Aboriginal health services that have gone without a registrar for many years, Dr Higgins said this is an achievement she is ‘especially proud’ of.
‘I’m thrilled we can reveal Australia’s most satisfied GPs are working in health services run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – the sector has so much expertise and does incredible work,’ she said.
‘It benefits these communities today, and in the future.’
Bulk-billing rates
One in four GPs surveyed for Health of the Nation say the proportion of consultations they bulk bill has increased since the incentive payments for bulk billing were tripled as part of last year’s $5.7 billion Federal Budget package, with the incentives coming into effect on 1 November.
Dr Higgins said while there are positive signs the tripling of bulk-billing incentives worked, patients’ out-of-pocket costs have also increased, with many patients still missing out on accessing affordable healthcare.
‘The tripling of bulk-billing incentives for healthcare card holders, pensioners and children has helped GPs bulk bill more patients … [but] GP clinics are still under pressure after decades of underinvestment and the Medicare freeze,’ she said.
‘We need meaningful investment in patients’ rebates to make essential healthcare affordable for all Australians.’
The RACGP’s findings that patients’ financial issues are a top concern for GPs amplify the urgent need for the Government to rebuild Medicare and increase investment in patient rebates, according to Dr Higgins.
‘Patients’ Medicare rebates haven’t kept up with inflation, and don’t cover the full cost of care,’ she said.
‘In 2023–24 the rebate was $42.85 for a standard consult, but if it increased with inflation since 2005–06, it would be $51.50.
‘And while these costs have risen across the health sector, it still costs much less to see a GP at $45 on average, compared to $68 for allied health, and $117 for other specialists.
‘General practice is at the heart of Australia’s world-class health system. [Government] investment is key to ensuring it is affordable and accessible for all Australians at a time when cost-of-living pressures are biting.’
In response to the 2024 Health of the Nation report findings, the RACGP is also calling for the Government to:
- increase all Medicare rebates for Level B, Level C and Level D consultations by 20% and apply an additional increase to MMM 3–7 areas (as per the distribution of the bulk-billing incentive)
- establish targets for universities of 50% of medical graduates selecting general practice training, linked to Commonwealth Supported Places funding
- double the Workforce Incentive Program to accelerate the growth of multidisciplinary care in general practice.
‘Our 2024 Health of the Nation report busts some big myths,’ Dr Higgins said.
‘GPs are helping Australians stay out of hospital and propping up our health system. We know
patients who see the same GP are healthier and live longer.
‘A strong general practice workforce is essential for a healthy Australia.’
The full
General Practice: Health of the Nation 2024 report will be released at an event in Canberra on 8 October.
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