Public health

Around 86% of the population visits a general practitioner (GP) at least once a year, so GPs have an important role in improving the general health and lifestyle of Australians. This is particularly the case with regard to reducing diseases that are affected by patterns of behaviour.

Many public health programs call upon the assistance of GPs in getting important health messages out to the community. These programs are primarily preventative in nature, such as the promotion of healthier, more active lifestyles and regular health checks (such as screenings for breast or skin cancers); but can also include management and recovery techniques (everything from pain management for better quality of life, to support for long-term carers), through to general health information.

GPs are considered to be the ‘gatekeepers’ of secondary (or specialist) care because specialist medical services can only be rebated through Medicare where the patient has been referred by a GP.