General practitioners will need to be ready to embrace new technologies to drive further change in care over the next five years.
Supporting and building a future-ready profession was one of four key areas of focus in the RACGP 2025-29 Strategy, released this week.
The strategy states “leveraging technology and digital innovations, general practice will become more integrated with other healthcare providers, improving coordination, delivering systemic efficiencies, and maximising resources to ensure that GPs are accessible to everyone in Australia”.
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RACGP board chair Dr Sian Goodson said general practice was the solution to so many of the problems plaguing our healthcare system and by driving change, pressure across the entire system could be relieved.
She said the GP profession needed to be “prepared for a changing future ready to embrace new, innovative technologies”.
The other three areas of focus outlined in the strategy are; an outstanding fellowship, a flourishing GP workforce, and general practice being at the heart of the health system.
Dr Goodson said targeting innovations and improvements with these focus areas in mind would “position the College and the broader field of general practice for long-term, sustained success”.
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She said this meant general practice needed to get the support it needed from government, including adequate funding,
She added that ensuring the workforce had flexible and outcome-based education and training was also key to a flourishing workforce.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the next five years represented a crucial moment in time for general practice.
“Following many years of under-investment in Medicare, we have an ageing population, more patients with complex, chronic conditions, and a cost-of-living crisis – so the time is now to achieve meaningful change,” he said.
“The college has over 50,000 members located in communities all around Australia, and there’s never been a more important time to speak out on behalf of our hardworking GPs and ensure no patients miss out on care.”
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Dr Wright said the work of GPs often went unnoticed because they do the preventive care and long-term work that stops health problems reaching crisis point.
“However, that doesn’t mean we should be taken for granted,” he said.
“Our priority is working hard every day to serve our members and their patients at a time when people are relying on general practice care more than ever before.”
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