ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 106
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Forum revival: If our rural health systems are in crisis then
general practitioners and family doctors are the solution
Dr John Buckley
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RACGP Rural
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Health systems are in crisis in many countries. Resources are exhausted and there is a backlog
of routine and preventive care with subsequent consequences, even more evident in remote and
rural areas.
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GPs/family doctors have long been the efficient ‘engine room’ of health systems. GPs have a wide
range of existing skills, are resourceful, fast learners, capable of multitasking in one care episode and
can function autonomously and independently across a wide range of care.
This forum highlights examples of general practice leadership in the recovery of health systems,
prompting discussion about influencing policy so as to recognise and activate these powerful
health resources.
Recovery should be led by general practice, most effectively in rural settings. Three areas will be
presented to prompt wider facilitated discussion:
1. Mental health – despite the policy approach and resource allocation viewed at government level,
most mental health care occurs in general practice, often as part of consultations involving other
aspects of healthcare and often, therefore, under-recognised. This is especially highlighted even
more at times of local or national disaster where general practice absorbs the added burden within
their communities.
2. Efficient service delivery case example – a GP working in a regional hospital is approached to help
with a Mirena insertion clinic with a long waiting list. Within months, the waiting list is zero. Normal
hospital processes could not have achieved this.
3. Rural generalist (RG) – remote and rural communities suffer ongoing challenges with access
to secondary healthcare. The traditional ‘do everything’ rural practitioner has been declining. The
resurgence in formal RG training is one answer to the needs of remote and rural communities. Case
example: in a remote setting a GP RG with additional skills in paediatrics was able to greatly expand
capacity of a visiting paediatric service.
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