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GP Survey reveals worrying trends in public hospital communication
A survey of Victorian doctors has revealed major concerns over communication between public hospitals and general practitioners that could adversely affect patient care.
The results of the survey released today, which reviewed the responses of 150 GPs about 17 different areas of contact with public hospitals, clearly illustrates a dissatisfied general practice workforce, with only one category assessed on average, as being satisfactory.
AMA Victoria President, Dr Sam Lees, said the results were a wake up call for Victoria’s public hospitals to improve communication with GPs to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
“I think the survey sends a very clear message to the public hospitals from GPs around the State and that message says lift your game” said Dr Lees.
A key area of concern revealed in the survey is the care of patients with complex histories who are often elderly and suffering multiple conditions, with many GPs claiming there is often no contact made with them whilst the patient is in hospital to seek more information about the patient’s condition, or to find out how well they cope at home or to just tell the GP what is going on.
The results also identified the lack of communication when these patients are discharged from hospital with GPs saying they are often not told when a patient leaves hospital so they cannot organise follow up, soon after they get home.
Chair of the AMA Victoria Section of General Practice Dr Terry Ahern said that a GP needs to be told when a complex patient is released from hospital.
“We are talking about sick, vulnerable people and in these cases it is nothing short of essential that good communication is established between the hospital and GP to guarantee a continuance of care” said Dr Ahern.
“We can’t allow these patients to slip through the cracks because a phone call has not being made or a letter has not being sent. These patients are at risk of bouncing back to hospital, which is no good for the patient and no good for the system.”
Dr Lees also pointed to the management of outpatient attendances and advice about elective surgery waiting lists as areas in which the survey results had indicated major improvements were needed when it came to public hospital communication with GPs.
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