The Australian Medical Association has launched its Modernise Medicare campaign, calling for reform of the Medicare system to ensure Australian patients can get the healthcare care they need. Dr. Pallavi Sharma from the Medical Doctors Association and Allied Health (IMDA) explains in this podcast that updating Medicare could lead to long-term savings for the government. She points out that the rebates for longer consultations haven't kept pace with rising healthcare costs, resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Key Points

• The first version of Medicare was known as Medibank, which was introduced in 1975
• In 1983, a universal health insurance scheme was re-established, and Medicare began the following year
• The Australian Medical Association is now advocating for a more multidisciplinary approach to healthcare within general practice

Dr Pallavi Sharma of IMDA says Medicare is stuck in the past. We got the same old structure of Medicare.

She highlights, "It was designed for appointments lasting only five to ten minutes, whereas the typical consultation time with a general practitioner has now exceeded 18 minutes."

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Why do general practitioners (GPs) need more time with their patients, and why do patients benefit from longer consultations?

"As our population ages, we are seeing an increase in chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and mental health disorders. Many individuals are now dealing with multiple health issues simultaneously," explains Sharma.

Pallavi Sharma Source: Supplied / Pallavi Sharma

Sharma further elaborated, "While it may seem straightforward to manage a patient with both diabetes and high blood pressure, a GP requires additional time to address these complex and evolving health needs effectively."

She also notes that extending the standard consultation duration could ultimately lead to cost savings for the government in the long run.

By providing comprehensive care during these appointments, patients are less likely to visit emergency departments or hospitals, which are significantly more expensive than a visit to the GP.

Pallavi Sharma

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Medicare, as we know it today, was officially established in 1984 after a series of unsuccessful attempts to create a universal healthcare system in Australia.

The Australian Medical Association is advocating for a more multidisciplinary approach to healthcare within general practice. They are also calling for an additional 500 training positions for general practitioners.

At present, there is a workforce shortage of GPs. It is believed they prefer working in other specialties instead.

Proposals include securing adequate funding for general practice and introducing a new seven-tier standardised consultation item structure aimed at allowing patients to spend more time with their doctors.

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