Policy

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' policies advocate on issues relating to the core values of general practice, including patient equity and access, quality general practice and primary health care, professional and clinical issues, the context of general practice, health care services and health system reform.

Policies are underpinned by the RACGP's core values and responsibilities, providing reference points to how the RACGP will approach issues of relevance to general practice and primary health care.

What is policy?

A policy is a statement of beliefs, goals, objectives, and recommendations on a specific subject area.

RACGP policies can be broadly categorised into four primary areas, namely:

• Policy advocating for quality primary health care and general practice (see Health Systems and Environmental Policy)
• Policy providing general practitioner guidance for clinical practice and practice management (see Clinical and Practice Management Policy)
• Policy directly relating to RACGP governance operational and business processes (see Organisational Policy)
• Policy governing educational, assessment, membership and fellowship matters (see Educational and Membership Policy)

Policies can flag the organisation’s position and provide a framework to guide strategy development and external advocacy.

Types of RACGP policies include:

• Position declarations – concise statements that declare the RACGP’s position on a particular issue broadly, or alternatively in response to current and emerging issues
• Policy statements – papers that provide details of the RACGP’s position and recommendations regarding a particular issue, and include details regarding the aims, background, principles underpinning the policy, and specific issues addressed
• Discussion papers – papers that have been developed by the RACGP to engage and obtain input from members and stakeholders regarding a specific issue. Discussion papers will often be developed into policy statements following consultation.

The RACGP Quality Framework underpins all RACGP policy.

Further information regarding the RACGP clinical guidelines.

How are policies developed?

Policies flow, and are developed, through a variety of mechanisms, including:

• Formal RACGP Council and Faculty Board decisions
• Decisions at RACGP Convocation
• Research.

The RACGP seeks to obtain membership and stakeholder input when developing policies, and therefore ensures that external consultation processes are followed. Feedback regarding draft policies and discussion papers will often be sought via:

• Friday Facts
• Faculty and other newsletters
• RACGP committees
• RACGP website.