Australian GPs and other international family doctors celebrate tomorrow as the driving force behind healthy communities on World Family Doctor Day, Thursday 19 May.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a social media campaign asking GPs to reflect upon why they chose general practice and share their thoughts online using the dedicated hashtag #IchoseGP.
“It is particularly poignant this year because World Family Doctor Day comes at a time when Australia’s Medicare system is being attacked and bulk-billing, which has served our nation extremely well, is under mortal threat,” said Dr Frank R Jones, RACGP President.
“The extension of the freeze on Medicare rebates until 2020 announced in the May 9 Budget is a false health economy which will impact the people who will pay the most - those who can afford it the least - ordinary Australians who have to see their GP.”
“Patients will delay presentation to their GPs, which is a real concern for their long-term health as it will only get worse."
In addition to the GP focused social media campaign, the RACGP is also asking patients and the public to get behind their GP and show support for Medicare by tweeting using the hashtag #youvebeentargeted.
“Family Doctors support every Australian’s physical and mental wellbeing; they assist patients when they are ill and ensure healthy patients stay healthy,” Dr Jones said.
The preventative nature of general practice work not only improves and saves lives it also saves the Government billions of dollars in emergency department admissions, but the preliminary results of an ongoing survey of RACGP members has revealed more than 30 percent will stop bulk-billing entirely if the freeze on Medicare funding continues.
Dr Jones said general practice is a medical specialty that has long been under-valued as the most critical component of an effective healthcare system, promoting prevention and early intervention.
“While today is a day for celebration, it is important to reflect upon and acknowledge the struggles faced by our national and international colleagues on a daily basis.
“Australia was one of the last developed countries to recognise general practice as a specialty in in its own right and so many of our international counterparts are still struggling to achieve the same respect,” Dr Jones said.
The RACGP encourages all GPs to join in the celebration and support Medicare by sharing why they chose general practice on social media using the hashtag #IchoseGP.
World Family Doctors’ Day is an initiative of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), a not-for-profit organisation that represents 131 member organisations – including the RACGP – in 131 countries and territories.