The top general practice stories of 2022

The past 12 months have been undeniably challenging for general practice, with GPs navigating a return to business as usual amid an explosion of COVID cases and increasingly finite resources.
 
As the year draws to a close, newsGP counts down the top 10 stories from 2022.
 
10
When the Professional Review Branch comes calling
(Published 16 September)
Dr Andre Leong thought he was performing a community service and saving the healthcare system money. The department disagreed.
 
9
‘A kick in the guts’: Frontline GPs respond to Medicare story
(Published 21 October)
How serious is the fallout from this week’s ‘rort’ headlines? GPs around the country explain why they are so upset.
 
8
What doctors think about antidepressants and the ‘serotonin theory’
(Published 29 July)
Two GPs and two psychiatrists provide reactions from the mental health coalface to a new systematic umbrella review that questions the role ‘chemical imbalance’ plays in depression.
 
7
‘Doctors might be intimidated’: GP blasts NSW complaints body
(Published 14 March)
A single anonymous complaint was enough for one Taree GP to receive a warning about ‘maintaining constructive communication’ in public.
 
6
Upcoming MBS changes GPs need to know
(Published 29 June)
A number of updates will be implemented from 1 July, while Medicare support for longer phone consultations will not be extended.
 
5
People do not understand general practice – and that’s a major problem
(Published 9 September)
There is a need to move on from ‘production line clicks’ favoured by health managers and embrace the complexity of general practice, writes Adjunct Professor Karen Price.
 
4
GP sued by naturopath faces long road ahead
(Published 26 May)
Dr Adam Smith thought he was doing a community service – now he’s facing up to $800,000 in legal fees.
 
3
What GPs need to know about the new COVID antivirals
(Published 5 May)
Both oral antiviral COVID-19 treatments are now available, with significant restrictions, on the PBS. 
 
2
Pathology requests under the microscope
(Published 13 May)
More than 5000 GPs are about to receive a letter from the Department of Health about their pathology requests.
 
1
Molnupiravir to be used only as a last resort: Taskforce
(Published 5 December)
Advice has changed for the country’s most prescribed COVID-19 oral antiviral, although access via the PBS will remain in place.

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