Vaccinations and depression are quickly moving up the scale of
problems most commonly managed by doctors each year in general
practice. Since 1990-91, vaccinations have jumped from number 6 to
the third most common problem managed, and depression from 10th to
fourth.
These facts and more can be found in the AIHW's General Practice
Statistics and Classification Unit's first annual report,
General Practice Activity in Australia 1998-99, to be
launched in Adelaide on Friday at the Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners' annual convention.
The report details about 100,000 doctor-patient encounters from
a sample of 1000 GPs. It gives an insight into why people visit
their GP, the health problems GPs manage, and what types of
treatments general practice patients receive. The report comes from
the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation And Care of Health) program
which is conducted by the University of Sydney in collaboration
with the AIHW.
Director of the University's General Practice Statistics and
Classification Unit, Professor Helena Britt, said increases in the
frequency of vaccinations revealed positive trends. 'It shows that
general practitioners are playing an important role in childhood
immunisation, and in provision of flu vaccinations to the elderly
and at risk patients,' Dr Britt said.
'For the first time, we're also able to see what advice GPs give
about over the counter purchase of drugs and the extent to which
they supply samples and vaccines themselves. For every 100
encounters, for example, the average GP prescribes 94 drugs,
advises 7 for over the counter purchase and supplies 7 vaccines or
samples.'
Other findings from General Practice Activity in Australia
1998-99 include:
- While there are approximately 100 million GP consultations per
year claimed through Medicare, the report estimates that GPs
provide a further 5 million services that are not funded through
Medicare or other insurance.
- Antibiotics, and cardiovascular and central nervous
system-related drugs were those most frequently prescribed by
doctors.
- The problems most commonly managed by doctors were hypertension
(8.3 per 100 encounters), upper respiratory tract infection (6.8
per 100), vaccination (5.2 per 100), and depression (3.5 per
100).
Note: BEACH is supported by a consortium of
organisations representing government and industry including: the
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, AstraZeneca
(Australia), the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Roche Products,
Rhne Poulenc Rorer, and the National Occupational Health and Safety
Commission.
29 October 1999
Further information: A/Professor Helena Britt,
ph. 04 1246 5585 or 04 1119 7938 (mob.).
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, ph. 02 6244 1032, or Media Office, University of Sydney,
ph. 02 9351 2261.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.