07 August 2018 | Australian GPs, Clinic Owners and Practice Managers, UK/Ireland GPs | 3 minutes read
The Australian Government believes it has a solution for the future of Australia: Australian trained GPs will meet all the needs of all communities while the need for Overseas Trained Doctors will disappear. I think the government might be believing what they wish was true rather than looking at the realities of the current workforce.
I would like to hear your views (email me by clicking here), but here is why I don’t think that will happen:
If you do the basic maths, it doesn’t add up to a strong workforce pipeline: Even if the growth in Australian GPs doubles (to say 3.2%), how will this workforce replace approximately 30% of the workforce (currently from overseas) as well as another 30% of GPs who are likely to retire in the next 15 years?
Even if the growth in Australian GPs doubles how will this workforce replace approximately 30% of the workforce as well as another 30% of GPs who are likely to retire in the next 15 years?
There will be solutions, but they will need to come from other sources. The current cohort of medical students is not likely to meet the needs of rural communities – let alone the metropolitan growth corridors exploding in several major cities. Thankfully, history tells us that solutions usually come from the most unexpected places. Maybe your GP in 2030 will be powered by AI or some other technology solution will provide the answers we clearly don’t have today?
We would like to hear your thoughts on the GP shortage and workforce issues. Email us at info@alecto.com.au
Commentary by Martina Stanley
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