GPs report they spend 73% of their work week on direct patient care and patient consultations. However, more than a quarter of their work week is spent on other activities, such as care coordination activities including following up test results, reviewing or writing letters, administration, and teaching and learning (Figure 44). These activities are largely unfunded by Medicare. This is particularly concerning as almost nine in 10 GPs are paid as a proportion of Medicare billings (Figure 52).
The impact of these hours spent on care coordination activities is being felt. Three in four GPs perceive the time they spend on care coordination activities has significantly or slightly increased over the past 10 years (Figure 45).
GPs who own a practice are more likely to report an increase in the time spent on patient coordination (85%) than those who do not own a practice (71%).5
The relationship between the proportion of time spent on tasks, and hours worked, is similar to previous years. Those working more than 60 hours per week on average report that they spend less time directly with patients (65%) and more time on practice management and admin tasks (11%) than those working between 20 and 60 hours.5