Summary
This web update provides the latest local-level information on people’s experiences with the health care system. Good experiences are an important component of quality healthcare, along with clinical effectiveness and patient safety.
More than 20 self-reported measures are included, such as information on health status, how many times people visited GPs, if they saw a dentist or other health practitioner, whether their GP listened to them and if they delayed or did not see a health practitioner due to cost.
While most Australians rate their health positively, their experiences with the health care system can vary depending on where they live.
Results are presented for Primary Health Network (PHN) areas across Australia, providing local-level findings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Patient Experience Survey 2016–17. Results are also included from the same surveys conducted in 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16.
Most recently in 2016–17, the data reveal:
- Nationally, 85% of Australian adults rated their health as excellent, very good or good; similar to previous years. Across PHN areas, this percentage ranged from 92% in Northern Sydney (NSW) to 78% in Murrumbidgee (NSW).
- Over 8 in 10 (83%) Australian adults saw a GP in the previous 12 months, which ranged from 88% in Nepean Blue Mountains (NSW) to 78% in Gold Coast (Qld).
- Over 9 in 10 (92%) Australian adults felt their GP always or often listened carefully to them. Across PHN areas, this ranged from 94% in Northern Sydney to 87% in Northern Queensland.
- Over 9 in 10 (94%) Australian adults felt their GP always or often showed respect for what they had to say. Across PHN areas, this percentage was at 90% or over, ranging from 97% in Darling Downs & West Moreton (Qld) to 90% in Country WA.
- Over 9 in 10 (91%) Australian adults felt their GP always or often spent enough time with them, ranging from 93% in Darling Downs & West Moreton (Qld) to 86% in Gippsland (Vic).