Report on GPs finds doctors are on ‘the brink’ of burnout

By ERIN MODARO

A 2022 report on General practice doctors across Australia has revealed worrying data about the condition of general practice across the country. The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) released the General Practice: Health of the Nation 2022 report, which states that almost 3 in 4 GPs reported they had experienced burnout in the last year.

The concerning data in the report triggered an emergency summit in Canberra organised by the RACGP last month. RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price says that if the problems outlined in the report are not properly addressed, it will lead to “grim outcomes”. 

“The latest Health of the Nation report paints a very grim picture of the future of general practice care, and the future health of the Australian people, if our country’s leaders don’t take action,” she said.

The report revealed that not enough doctors are choosing to become GPs, while those currently in the profession are leaving in droves.

Doctors are leaving general practice earlier than ever before, and have reported high levels of burn out, as well as a lack of work-life balance. The report shows that only 13.8% of trainee doctors are putting general practice as a career preference.

Financial stability within the profession was also highlighted as an area of concern.

“Almost half of all GPs surveyed for this report said it is financially unsustainable for them to continue working as a GP” Adj. Professor Price said.

“Being a GP is such a rewarding career; however, more needs to be done to make sure this profession is adequately supported and valued.”

Sydney experiences shortage of GPs

Sydney’s doctors have not escaped the pressures facing general practice. A spokesperson for the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Networks (CESPHN) says that the health network in Sydney’s central regions is currently experiencing a shortage of GPs.

“The Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region is experiencing GP workforce shortages that are likely to get worse over the next decade” the spokesperson said.

“We know that some patients are having difficulty being able to access their GP in a timely manner.”

The CESPHN said that issues leading to a shortage of doctors includes an increase in demand for GP services due to an ageing population and increased levels of chronic diseases. Similar to statistics from the Health of the Nation report, Sydney’s doctors and clinics are also suffering from financial difficulties such as inadequate pay and the viability of owning a general practice.

“Local GPs are very committed but they want greater recognition of their expertise” the spokesperson said. 

RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price says that a White Paper with proposed solutions to the issues raised in the report will come in the weeks after the summit.

“I look forward to having a frank discussion with our government about the way forward to improve patient outcomes and ensure the future of general practice” she said.