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Consequences

Dr Tony Bartone
vicdoc, November 2009

It’s time to find out what our patients understand about the NHHRC proposed changes and to make them aware of their consequences, writes GP Section Chair Dr Tony Bartone.

With general practice on the verge of some of the most momentous changes in history we constantly need to focus the evolving debate on patients’ best interests and care.

In Australia we are fortunate to have a primary healthcare system that is the envy of the world. Research shows that most Australians visit their doctor at least once a year. Eighty per cent of patients claim to have their ‘own’ regular GP. Of course that is not perfect and the NHHRC changes aim for the noble target of increasing this to 95 per cent – but at what cost? Our patients stand to lose significantly with these changes, and they may not even be aware of them. With an election scheduled within the next year or so, we all have a crucial role to ensure that the issues are front and centre. Our patients need to be entirely clear about what is happening and how it will impact upon them.

We need to talk to them about these changes. Now of course we are not politicians and the consulting room is not the perfect setting to discuss these issues, but there are ways in which we can elevate the debate in the public forum. Consider a practice newsletter, which can be left in the waiting room or made available by email or online depending on the level of marketing sophistication at your practice. Continue to update your message and rotate the discussion around the topic of the week.

To this end, the GP Section will ensure we continue to provide some material that summarises the cogent arguments and presents your patients with the choices they will need to consider regarding primary care. Collectively, our patients are the electorate and they can send a powerful message to their elected representatives.

It behoves us to ensure that we are well briefed about the real issues and how they will impact upon our patients care. It is important that we continue to read the medical press and attend events such as the forum held by AMA Victoria on 19 October on patient registration, which also touched on other issues raised in the NHHRC such as infrastructure in general practice, training, electronic medical records and IT, and multidisciplinary care teams working in collaboration.

It was extremely pleasing to see 60 GPs at the forum. Judging by the level of emotion generated by the debate between the presenters and the participating audience of GPs, the issues are potentially divisive and threaten to disunite the medical profession in the face of the committed and well organised political machine of that is government. But these are debates we need to have. We need to engage and ensure our GP leaders are clear about our wishes and those of our patients and ensure they present a united front.

The changes threaten to turn the system on its ear. We need to champion patients’ interests – to enshrine their right to choose their doctor and protect them from economic rationalisation of necessary medical care.

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