The changing nature of GP training in Australia

The Coalition Government announced at its inaugural budget in May that the GP training landscape in Australia will be changing. There would be three parts to this change:

1. A reduction in the cost of funds that the Government would contribute towards GP training (around 30%)
2. A new training  model removing the oversight and management function of General Practice Education and Training (GPET) and the introduction of a tender for provision of GP training across Australia 
3. The discontinuation of funding for the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP). 

PGPPP provided junior doctors with an opportunity to rotate through a general practice placement during the intern and hospitals terms. The Program gave junior doctors a taste of general practice before choosing their post graduate specialty. The Program was successful in that it attracted more junior doctors to undertake training in general practice. 

The new GP training model could mean consolidation of the number of existing Regional Training Providers (RTPs). Some RTPs may decide to merge with others, or simply shut down. The new training model may even see the emergence of new providers such as universities, insurance companies or other private companies. A tender for GP training will be released in March 2015. New training providers will contracted in July-August of 2015 to deliver training in 2016.

Not surprisingly, the proposed changes have caused consternation within the GP training community. Whilst it is reasonable that the Government should try to contain costs and seek efficiencies, it should be wary of the unintended consequences arising from these changes.

Australia continues to have a GP shortage which is reflected in the number of rural and regional communities that do not have a resident GP. Furthermore, GP training relies on the goodwill of GP supervisors, the support of expert medical educators, and the availability of sophisticated systems and management expertise that can guarantee the ongoing continuity of GP training in a regional context. This collective expertise, knowledge and experience (which has already cost millions of dollars in development) need not be lost and must be carefully secured in this changing environment to ensure the quality of GP services and the best possible training of Australia’s future GPs.  

A regional approach to GP training is an effective solution to ensuring that all Australians have access to a GP no matter where they live. While change can be good, wholesale changes could see an exacerbation of the shortage of GPs in Australia.