4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 1994
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/05/1994
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Health Services: Distribution of general practitioners
GPs and other occupations From 1976 to 1991 the number of people employed in health occupations per 100,000 population rose from 1,301 to 1,572. However, between 1986 and 1991 the number of GPs grew only slightly and at a lower rate than the population as a whole. This resulted in a decline in the GP to population ratio. Most of the growth in the number of medical practitioners between 1986 and 1991 can be attributed to a 48% increase in the number of specialists. This increase in specialist numbers ensured the continuing rise in the doctor to population ratio despite the relatively small increase in GPs. Between 1986 and 1991 the rate per 100,000 population of GPs, police and social workers remained fairly stable. In comparison there was an increase in the number of lawyers and solicitors and a decrease in the number of ministers of religion per 100,000 population. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
Source: Census of Population and Housing SELECTED OCCUPATION TO POPULATION RATIOS(a)
Source: Census of Population and Housing
GP distribution In 1991 GPs were concentrated in major urban areas with populations of 100,000 or more. There were 180 GPs per 100,000 population in major urban areas compared to 95 per 100,000 in rural areas. These rates are also reflected in the distribution of other health occupations, most notably specialists. However, the distribution of specialists is affected by the location of larger hospitals which are usually in major urban centres. Indeed in 1991, there were over twice the number of specialists per 100,000 population in major urban centres than in other urban or rural areas. However, an important factor which must be considered in relation to GP distribution in Australia is GP mobility. In remote Australia the Royal Flying Doctor Service provides a high degree of mobility for medical workers servicing remote areas and communities, thereby improving access to medical services. HEALTH OCCUPATIONS, 1991
Source: Census of Population and Housing GP characteristics In 1991 the majority of GPs were male (70%). However, the proportion of female GPs has increased from 25% in 1986 to 30% in 1991. There were also higher concentrations of female GPs in major urban areas where 32% of GPs were women. In both other urban and rural areas three-quarters of GPs were male. Urban areas also tended to have greater proportions of GPs of younger ages. In urban areas 43% of GPs were aged under 35 years compared to 25% in rural areas. This current age difference may be important in the future if the retirement of GPs in rural areas is not adequately compensated for by recruitment of younger GPs, thereby worsening the imbalance in GP geographic distribution. Major urban centres also have higher concentrations of GPs from non-English speaking backgrounds. However, this pattern reflects the general settlement pattern of people from non-English speaking backgrounds who are concentrated in major urban areas. CHARACTERISTICS OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, 1991
Work and income There are some important differences in the work of GPs according to geographic location. GPs in other urban and rural areas reported working longer hours than those in major urban centres. While 45% of GPs in major urban centres reported working 49 hours or more per week, 57% in other urban and 51% in rural areas reported the same. In accordance with the higher proportions of GPs working longer hours per week, GPs in other urban and rural areas reported higher gross annual incomes with 49% of other urban and 47% of rural GPs reporting incomes of over $60,000 a year, compared to 39% of GPs in major urban centres. In 1991, 9% of GPs lived in rural areas and in 1989-90, 9% of all consultations took place in rural areas2. In 1989-90 the most frequent treatments received by people consulting a GP were prescriptions for medication (61%) and blood pressure checks (38%). There were no marked differences between urban and rural areas in the types of treatment given by GPs. The majority of consultations occurred in the doctor's office or surgery (94% in urban areas and 95% in rural areas).
Endnotes 1 Department of Health, Housing and Community Services (1992) The Future of General Practice National Health Strategy Issues Paper No. 3. 2 National Health Survey.
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