A third of Western Australian GPs aged 45-65 years plan to retire early, potentially deepening Australia’s medical workforce shortage, according to research published in this year’s General Practice edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.
Associate Professor Tom Brett, Director of General Practice and Primary Health Care Research at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, and his co-authors surveyed 178 Western Australian GPs aged 45-65 years.
GPs Need More Support To Prevent Them From Early Retirement
A study which found up to one third of GPs are planning to retire early highlights the need for governments to boost support for General Practice, AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce.
A study which found up to one third of GPs are planning to retire early highlights the need for governments to boost support for General Practice, AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce.
“Of those GPs planing to retire early, 46% said this was because of the pressure of work, exhaustion and burnout,” he said.
“Almost two thirds of survey participants said increasing bureaucracy, poor job satisfaction and disillusionment with the medical system or Medicare were obstacles to working in general practice.”
Doctor Shortage in Australian State, Overseas Recruitment Lagging, Industrial Action Threatened
Victoria is reeling from a severe shortage of doctors. To compound the situation overseas recruitment is lagging behind other Australian states. Meantime doctors are threatening industrial action.
Victoria is reeling from a severe shortage of doctors. To compound the situation overseas recruitment is lagging behind other Australian states. Meantime doctors are threatening industrial action.
“A shortage of doctors in general practice will have repercussions at all levels of the health system. It will inevitably put more pressure on hospitals and slow the discharge of patients back into their communities,” he said.
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Medico Shortage Hits Medicare in Australia
Due to the acute shortage of doctors, more than 12 million Australians are encountering the prospect of inadequate access to primary care.
Due to the acute shortage of doctors, more than 12 million Australians are encountering the prospect of inadequate access to primary care.
More female (75%) than male (59%) doctors intended to continue working at least until the age of 65. Assoc Prof Brett said this might be because female doctors were more satisfied with their work – which was often conducted on a part-time basis.
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Shortage of Beds Forces Australian Hospital to Turn Away Patients
Patients needing critical care are being turned away by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide in South Australia.
Patients needing critical care are being turned away by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide in South Australia.
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