Last month Medical Forum put a much-needed spotlight on the issues facing general practice.
While the current (and ageing) GP workforce is haemorrhaging at the rate of knots, it’s a double whammy as medical students increasingly shun that career path.
Thank you for your candid responses – we share some of them in this edition. It seems a lot of GPs are worried about the erosion of such an honourable profession, but on a positive, many have expressed how much they still love their work and have no plans to pull the pin.
As we recover from the worst of COVID, it is also no bed of roses for the aged care sector.
We’ve all heard stories about baristas in Broome earning six figure incomes. Record low unemployment is good for those in the market for a job at the moment but it is very challenging for employers – particularly those in aged care.
Nurses are in short supply, and new government mandates are looming which will require aged care homes to have at least one registered nurse onsite at all times. It is only going to get tougher to recruit workers who are being courted by more generous pay offers from other sectors.
Nurses are in short supply, and new government mandates are looming which will require aged care homes to have at least one registered nurse onsite at all times.
Palliative care is another area that is undergoing significant change and this month we explore how services are evolving and working to educate patients about their end of life options.
Just as voluntary assisted dying is a legitimate path for some, palliative care is a valid choice that has suffered in the past from misconceptions and media coverage suggesting many people linger in pain.
More honest and balanced discussions are needed.