AJGP Clinical Challenge August 2018: Workforce issues in general practice

To discuss workforce issues affecting general practice in Australia.

The population of Australia is now close to 25 million. This increase, together with the fact that the population is ageing, has implications for the provision of equitable healthcare. Although most people live in cities that have adequate access to healthcare, there are many areas that remain under-served because of the maldistribution of medical services, including general practices. In particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people living in rural and remote areas, have poor access to healthcare. A number of initiatives have been implemented to address the maldistribution of medical services and inequity of healthcare across the country, but there is still much to be done to provide a level of service that is uniform across Australia. The issue of workforce is particularly important for general practitioners, who play an important role as gatekeepers of access to medical care. The focus articles in the August edition discuss the issues of workforce.

D1. Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship

D2. Applied professional knowledge and skills

• Quality evidence-based resources are critically analysed and utilised

D3. Population health and the context of general practice

• Barriers to equitable access to quality care are addressed

D4. Professional and ethical role

• Professional knowledge and skills are effectively shared with others

D5. Organisational and legal dimensions

• Ethical business processes and practices, and effective governance structures are implemented

• Adult health
• Care of older people
• Children and young people health
• Other