GPs spend more time with older people

Doctors are increasingly focusing on chronic disease management

Australian GPs are devoting more time to older patients and chronic disease management than they did a decade ago.

A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the University of Sydney says the shift reflects the ageing population and changes in the GP workforce.

Although older people make up only 13 per cent of the population, they account for 23.7 per cent of self-reported GP visits and a quarter of Medicare claims for general practice services.

The increase in time spent with older patients is changing the nature of GP’s work. Doctors are receiving more requests for check-ups and prescriptions and assistance with managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression.

“The issues that patients bring to the doctor have both changed and become more complex over time,” said Dr Helena Britt from the Australian General Practice Statistics and Classification Centre, a collaborating unit of the institute and Sydney University.

These changes in general practice have led to some positives, such as the increased detection and management of Type 2 diabetes.

The study also reported that like the rest of the population, the GP workforce is ageing and this is changing the nature of general practice.

Older GPs make more visits to patient’s homes and aged care facilities and have higher prescribing rates than younger doctors. They also tend to have more older patients and are less likely to use computers for clinical purposes.

Tags: ageing-population, general-practice,

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