Conclusion

Conclusion

The proportion and number of accredited general practices in Australia increased between 2010 and 2019 and most practices now routinely participate in accreditation. For the next decade, the use of data and research will be crucial to understanding the future direction of accreditation – whether the upward trend of practice accreditation continues – and what improvements are needed in the accreditation process to support general practice quality care, clinical outcomes and patient experience. Access to and analysis of data, and the introduction of new accreditation models, are possible factors that can impact practices and the proportion of those accredited. Exploring ways to refine the accreditation process so that it is more contemporary, efficient and fit-for-purpose will be essential. As we grapple with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are learning that our capacity for successfully implementing change is greater than we imagined. If we can imagine general practice accreditation a decade from now, we can achieve it.