The scope of GPs across the health system

GPs are typically the first point of contact in the health system and manage most problems without further referral. Studies demonstrate the continuity of the general practice relationship that provides patients with comprehensive care for acute and chronic conditions, mental health, and preventive care for all ages provides a beneficial impact on mortality – saving patients’ lives.¹¹ As highlighted earlier in the report, almost eighty per cent (78.7%) of patients have a preferred GP.² Given this relationship, a key role of general practice is to guide patients through the complexities of the healthcare system while preventing unnecessary screening, testing and treatment and supporting patients to seek appropriate care.

Almost nine in 10 (86%) GPs expressed they are supporting patients to manage conditions non-GP specialists might typically treat (Figure 21). Fifty-seven per cent of GPs are managing these conditions on an ‘often’ or ‘very often’ basis, with only 2% of GPs never managing patient conditions that would typically be treated by a non-GP specialist (Figure 21). Of the conditions GPs are managing, mental health leads by far (67%), followed by diabetes (32%) and cardiovascular issues (26%) (Figure 22).

GPs are managing conditions that might typically be expected to be treated by a non-GP specialist for varied reasons. Limited access to non-GP specialists was the main reason (78%), closely followed by cost barriers preventing patients from seeing non-GP specialists (76%) – indicating seeing a GP is a more cost-effective means for patients to address their health concerns (Figure 23).

One in two GPs (50%) indicated they were managing these conditions because they felt the condition was within their scope, along with 45% stating their patient preferred they (the GP) manage the condition (Figure 23).

Seventy-two per cent of GPs are managing patient conditions that would typically be expected to be treated in a hospital emergency department or urgent care clinic (UCC) (Figure 24). Nearly one in three (29%) GPs say they ‘often’ or ‘very often’ take on responsibility for managing these conditions they thought would be treated in an emergency department or UCC (Figure 24). This figure increases when rurality is considered, as 41% of GPs in an MM5, MM6 and MM7 region are ‘often’ or ‘very often’ treating conditions that would be expected to be treated in a hospital emergency department or UCC.