Addressing the GP Shortage Amidst Surge in Healthcare Practitioners
Australia has witnessed an 18% surge in healthcare practitioner numbers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest data from AHPRA reveals a staggering 877,119 registered practitioners across all professions, with over 5,000 new applicants each month. Notably, doctor numbers have escalated by 15% since June 2019, reaching 136,742 this year. Despite this significant influx, projections indicate a looming shortage of 10,600 GPs by 2031, with a projected 58% surge in demand for GP services over the next decade.
AHPRA acknowledges the ongoing efforts to address critical health workforce shortages catalyzed by the pandemic, yet emphasizes the necessity for continued action to tackle persistent gaps. Rising operational costs, tax impositions, international recruitment challenges, physician retirements, and burnout contribute to the ongoing struggle faced by the general practice workforce.
Former RACGP Rural Chair, Associate Professor Ayman Shenouda, underscores the urgent need for substantial reforms to attract doctors to general practice. He advocates for interventions starting from medical education, emphasizing the importance of exposing students to the merits of general practice early on.
While AHPRA reports over 27,000 internationally trained practitioners registered in Australia in the past year, including 5,918 medical practitioners, CEO Martin Fletcher underscores the need for streamlined employment processes for IMGs. He advocates for revisions in English language requirements to enhance Australia’s appeal to experienced overseas practitioners.
In response to the interim Kruk Report, the RACGP commits to simplifying accreditation processes for IMGs and addressing rural workforce shortages. Associate Professor Shenouda stresses the importance of supporting IMGs upon their arrival in Australia to ensure their seamless integration into the healthcare system.
The shortfall of GPs is acutely felt in rural areas, with patients experiencing prolonged wait times for appointments, particularly for urgent care. Associate Professor Shenouda emphasizes the critical role of a robust rural general practice workforce, urging meaningful government intervention to sustain these practices.
As the healthcare landscape evolves amidst demographic shifts and the aftermath of COVID-19, the advocacy for general practice gains renewed urgency. Recognizing the pivotal role of GPs in addressing chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and palliative care, Associate Professor Shenouda underscores the imperative for sustained government support and investment in the sector.
