I have already told my GP he is not allowed to retire, but Dr John, if you’re reading this, that means you. (I have prepaid your AHPRA registration fees for the next 10 years, so there is no wriggling out of it.)
Seriously, I dread losing my doctor – not him leaving this mortal coil, but the R word – retiring. (Dr John you’re too young anyway).
Seriously, I dread losing my doctor – not him leaving this mortal coil, but the R word – retiring. (Dr John you’re too young anyway).
The relationship with a family doctor is like no other – even more important than the powerful bond with your hairdresser. At worst, you get a bad haircut with the latter – there is a lot more at stake with the former.
In the current climate, there is good reason for people to worry about losing their GP. If anecdotes are to be believed, COVID is proving to be the final nail in the
coffin for some doctors in their decision to call it quits – dubbed The Great Resignation.
And if surveys are to be trusted, at least one-fifth of current GPs are seriously considering pulling the pin in the next 12 months.
Only the fact that the volatile financial market has bitten into superannuation savings might deter some from retiring right now.
And if surveys are to be trusted, at least one-fifth of current GPs are seriously considering pulling the pin in the next 12 months.
That’s not to say that general practice is not a rewarding career, although I use the word ‘rewarding’ with caution.
I’ve banged on for years to anyone who will listen how outrageously inadequate the financial remunerations are via the MBS, proportion to the training (past and ongoing), and the ever-expanding responsibilities that rest with GPs.
Money isn’t everything, but it’s not nothing either.