It is not surprising that GPs have been wary of some of the enthusiasm for allied health professions playing a bigger role in primary health care.
Some might argue doctors are merely protecting their turf, refusing to give away any control, lest it affects their bottom line.
But those who have done a few laps around the block may be sceptical that it is not all about the oft-cited mantra of improving patient care.
They might question if the real goal is to find a way to shift some of the tasks performed by doctors to people who can be paid less.
And that comes back to the thorny issue of what GPs are paid. With poor remuneration that has failed to be indexed, who could blame them for feeling unloved and wary?
It is too cute to dismiss their concerns as protecting their turf. I doubt any GP has a problem with the smart use of allied health. There is plenty of sickness, disease and disability to keep everyone gainfully employed.
Trying to contain costs in the bottomless pit of Medicare is not a bad thing – in fact it is the government’s responsibility to question if taxpayers’ money can be spent more judiciously.
It is too cute to dismiss their concerns as protecting their turf. I doubt any GP has
a problem with the smart use of allied health.
And where used appropriately, allied health practitioners can make the job of GPs easier – think diabetes educators, exercise physiologists, audiologists, psychologists and – probably the most contentious of all – pharmacists.
It is time to find a happy medium – a way to use allied health professionals carefully and cleverly – and not purely as a cost-cutting measure. That will involve some give-and-take from all parties.
This is somewhat of a segue to explain how Medical Forum is moving to recognise the role of allied health services in primary health care, with GPs still at the ship’s helm, but with more helping hands on deck.
Readers will see some changes in coming months, including clinical coverage of allied health topics, as
well as a separate Clinical Services Directory.
As the only independent magazine in WA for the medical profession, we will always retain our core focus to inform, educate and entertain doctors. Now we hope to do that more comprehensively.