How much of Australia's health expenditure is allocated to general practice and primary healthcare?

Background And Objectives: Understanding resource allocation is important to ensure that limited health resources are spent where they bring the greatest benefit. The aim of this study was to explore how much of Australia's national health expenditure is allocated specifically to general practice services, and more broadly to primary healthcare (PHC) services.

Method: This study used multiple Australian institutional reports - produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Productivity Commission and Services Australia - to classify, compare and quantify general practice and PHC expenditure.

General practice's early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple changes in the delivery of general practice services. In response to the threat of the pandemic and in order to keep their businesses safe and viable, general practices have rapidly moved to new models of care, embraced Medicare-funded telehealth and responded to uncertain availability of personal protective equipment with innovation. These changes have shown the adaptability of general practice, helped keep patients and practice staff safe, and undoubtedly reduced community transmission and mortality.

A process for developing standards to promote quality in general practice.

Background: Since 1991, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' (RACGP) Standards for General Practices (the Standards) have provided a framework for quality care, risk management and best practice in the operation of Australian general practices. The Standards are also linked to incentives for general practice remuneration. These Standards were revised in 2017.