General Medical issues thread

[Hvr]

Yeah, workplace incident. I havea return to work co-ordinator through my employer as well as a WrokCover QLD case officer. Everything has been sent through it's just communication is hopeless. The union is aware of what's going on as well. As I said, it is more annoying than anything but if I was living paycheque to paycheque like a lot of people these days I would be incredibly stressed about it.

Don't they let you use your sick leave until the claim is approved?

 

[Lynda2475]

My parents GP of over 35 years has just announced he is retiring week before Xmas and practice is closing (he was an independent not part of a medical centre). Even though my parents moved to a different area 15 years ago they had been traveling back to see their GP because he was old school and genuinely cared about his long-term patients, not just squeezing in as many appointments as possible per day.

He isnt recommending any alternatives, so now we start the search to find a new GP (obviously will look local) but I know when I was looking for a new GP for myself a couple of years ago it was very tough to find a GP taking on new patients, rather than just being a number at a medical centre where you cant choose and build a relationship with your doctor.

Told Dad to look for GPs in their 40s and 50s so less likely to retire in his lifetime, we dont want to be starting over again if the new one retires shortly after.

 

[RooFlyer]

My parents GP of over 35 years has just announced he is retiring week before Xmas and practice is closing (he was an independent not part of a medical centre). Even though my parents moved to a different area 15 years ago they had been traveling back to see their GP because he was old school and genuinely cared about his long-term patients, not just squeezing in as many appointments as possible per day.

How will the practice handle the transfer of records? They are the property of the GP. If paper and given across it, will be tough to integrate into a new practice whose records are digital. If digital, have to hope they are compatible with the new system.

When my long-term GP retired and the practice closed (co-incidentally) I was able to go to a new practice owned by the same 'chain', so the transfer of records and history was seamless. Mind you, I sacked the guy I got first but now I have a good solid bloke who does NOT believe in 'one issue per visit' AND more often than not, is early to call me in. Not all 'chain' medical centres are bad.

 

[Lynda2475]

How will the practice handle the transfer of records? When my long-term GP retired and the practice closed (co-incidentally) I was able to go to a new practice owned by the same 'chain', so the transfer was seamless. Mind you, I sacked the guy I got first but now I have a good solid bloke who does NOT believe in 'one issue per visit' AND more often than not, is early to call me in.

Their doctor is mostly old school with paper records, but he emailed my Dad patient summaries for him and my Mum which outlines all their current medications and related conditions, and also major/pertinent past conditions/treatment i.e. Mum's stomach/bowel cancer, stroke etc so they can use this as an introduction to any new GP.

They are also opted into that My Health sharing thing; and my Dad keep meticulous records always making sure he gets copies of any pathology, radiography results etc.

GP also said he is required to keep all records for 7 years and make available to new GP if contacted to do so, so I think it will be alright provided the new GP is happy to accept copies (scans/photo copies) of paper records if they need more than the comprehensive summary provided.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds like they have it all in hand. Good idea to get into MHR.

 

[prozac]

My parents GP of over 35 years has just announced he is retiring week before Xmas and practice is closing (he was an independent not part of a medical centre). Even though my parents moved to a different area 15 years ago they had been traveling back to see their GP because he was old school and genuinely cared about his long-term patients, not just squeezing in as many appointments as possible per day.

He isnt recommending any alternatives, so now we start the search to find a new GP (obviously will look local) but I know when I was looking for a new GP for myself a couple of years ago it was very tough to find a GP taking on new patients, rather than just being a number at a medical centre where you cant choose and build a relationship with your doctor.

Told Dad to look for GPs in their 40s and 50s so less likely to retire in his lifetime, we dont want to be starting over again if the new one retires shortly after.

Get a new GP ASAP. I am friends with parents of an old g/f, known them 56yrs. Their GP retired 3 yrs ago. At the time she was 88 and he was 91. In the intervening 6 months he passed away, simply did not wake up one morning. She had to notify the police and the home was declared a crime scene whilst detectives investigated if she had murdered him. It was 5pm before she was able to get the undertakers to remove him! All because they did not have a GP.

 

[Lynda2475]

Get a new GP ASAP.

That is the plan, its just not super easy. Will be doing some research this weekend, they cant wait too long because are on medications so need to get new scripts regularly.

 

[MARTINE]

My parents GP of over 35 years has just announced he is retiring week before Xmas and practice is closing (he was an independent not part of a medical centre). Even though my parents moved to a different area 15 years ago they had been traveling back to see their GP because he was old school and genuinely cared about his long-term patients, not just squeezing in as many appointments as possible per day.

He isnt recommending any alternatives, so now we start the search to find a new GP (obviously will look local) but I know when I was looking for a new GP for myself a couple of years ago it was very tough to find a GP taking on new patients, rather than just being a number at a medical centre where you cant choose and build a relationship with your doctor.

Told Dad to look for GPs in their 40s and 50s so less likely to retire in his lifetime, we dont want to be starting over again if the new one retires shortly after.

Sounds like they had excellent care with their former GP. It is a good idea to see a GP who will outlive you most definitely. It can be helpful to speak to one of the specialists whom the parents continue to see. Medical specialists rely on GP referrals and can provide names of thorough GP’s and knowing your parents maybe someone who would suit them.

 

[Lynda2475]

Mum will see her neurologist week after next BUT he is quite a ways from where they live so not sure if he would know a good GP closer to their home. Mum got the referral to the neurologist after her stroke from the doctor on duty at Concord Hospital.

I wish the govt would open more commonwealth sponsored uni places specifically for GPs, so we had more younger locals coming up through the ranks to fill the gaps left by retirees. Several friends have kids studying medicine atm but all are planning on surgery or other specialties because of the earning potential; and lack of incentives to become a GP. I find it a bit sad we have to import GPs because the government wont fund training more locals, there is a lot to be said for understanding local culture to provide best care.

 

[ellen10]

Get a new GP ASAP. I am friends with parents of an old g/f, known them 56yrs. Their GP retired 3 yrs ago. At the time she was 88 and he was 91. In the intervening 6 months he passed away, simply did not wake up one morning. She had to notify the police and the home was declared a crime scene whilst detectives investigated if she had murdered him. It was 5pm before she was able to get the undertakers to remove him! All because they did not have a GP.

This happened this week to a neighbour. He had not been to a GP recently. He died in his sleep and so the police arrived and the death has to be investigated by the coroner. His wife is quite distraught with it all.

 

[Lynda2475]

Whilst I have a GP, I can easily go 2+ years with zero need to visit them as have no ongoing health issues that need continuous treatment.

So I guess I have to be ok with an autopsy if I drop off this mortal coil before deteriorating to the stage I need to be at the GP every 2-3 months like my parents.

 

[andye]

Funding for a GP practice is largely dependent on what the government pays for items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Out of this the rent, bills and staff costs habe to be paid.

This rebate has increased minimally over the last 15 years. As a result GP earning potential has fallen behind. Fewer and fewer people are willing to pay a gap fee over the medicare rebate.

The MBS has always been more generous for procedures/operations rather than consultations. Private insurance covers some of the Specialist* inpatient fees. People also seem more accepting of paying gaps for Specialists

Thus the income gap between Specialists (especially procedural ones) and GPs has grown widely, so fewer trainee docrors are choosing to do GP. This is on top of the move to corporate general practice with GPs being employees (working for only a proportion of MBS fee) rather than partners.

GPs are incredibly skilled and important to delivering good healthcare but (IMO) are not being funded commensurate to their level of expertise. I am lucky to have outstanding GPs in my corner of Sydney


(*GPs of course are specialists in General Practice but I'm using the term that is in usual use)

 

[tgh]

Our GP charges $98 for a std consult , not sure what the medicare rebate is because of the safety net but it gave me back $87 today.

 

[JohnM]

Our GP charges $98 for a std consult , not sure what the medicare rebate is because of the safety net but it gave me back $87 today.

Mine charges $93 and Medicare benefit is $42.85.

 

[andye]

Not sure how your practices are set up in terms of overheads, but that seems pretty good value seeing it's paying for his/her time as well as all the non-doctor staff and building expenses

 

[MARTINE]

newsGP - How this GP illustrated Medicare’s four-decade slide

While the rebate freeze put the spotlight on the value of GP services recently, Dr Christian Allen has gone a step further and compared MBS items since 1984.

www1.racgp.org.au

Interesting article by a medico who compared what you got for a brief consult 40 years ago when Medicare started and now adjusted for inflation

The rebate for doctors is effectively 20% less than when MCare started.

Its tough being a GP

 

[andye]

On a more direct medical note, my mother-in-law mentioned some new brief exertional chest pain over the dinner table on Tuesday night.

Next day, found it difficult to get her promptly assessed by GP so did attend ED. Despite no ECG changes or enzyme rise, she had her CT coronary angio that evening. A nasty-looking plaque in the LAD artery was indentified and she had 2 stents this morning.

Quite outstanding (and quite possibly life-saving) treatment and a credit to the Australian healthcare system.

(It's possible that us both working there made a difference but suspect it didn't)

 

[Lynda2475]

Government could have a scheme to rebate/write off a portion of HECS debt for med graduates who go on to practice as GPs, as well as rebate more if the GP is in an underservice region.

As an adult I have always gone to GPs that charge above the medicare fee, I am usually ~$50 out of pocket for any 15-20 minute consult so in my area at least the GPs are earning $150-$200/hour over and above whatever they get from medicare.

 

[JohnM]

Not sure how your practices are set up in terms of overheads, but that seems pretty good value seeing it's paying for his/her time as well as all the non-doctor staff and building expenses

Your post immediately followed mine, but I'm unsure whether you were referencing mine or previous posts.

I'm perfectly happy to pay $50 out my own pocket to see my GP of choice, which I only need to do occasionally - maybe twice a year, but at least 1x/year. I make the effort to stay healthy and fit (without going to nutty extremes). She just helps me keep an eye on that and to do annual checks to monitor vitals and to pick up unusual things should they arise.

A piddling cost for taking responsibility for one's own health...

The last visit four weeks ago was to have her look at a (painless) ganglion that suddenly erupted on my wrist (I knew what it was). Referral for X-ray and US-guided aspiration. All sorted within a week.

 

[cove]

I had to look up ganglion to see it wasn’t the clap. Once I knew that it was a cyst I felt around my hands and yes there are a couple that exist that were not there 25 years ago. Just part of the fun of getting older.