The most common professional challenge reported by GPs is ensuring fair remuneration for skills and services provided (71%), followed by managing fatigue and burnout (58%), understanding and adhering to regulatory and policy changes (55%), and maintaining work–life balance (55%).41 These findings align with previous editions of the Health of the Nation report, in which themes of work–life balance and income are consistently reported as top challenges by GPs.††
Although challenges reported by GPs can vary over the course of their career, remuneration remains a top priority across the spectrum. Managing fatigue and burnout is most reported by GPs one to four years after Fellowship. Understanding and adhering to regulatory and policy changes, such as MBS rules and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) legislation, is a particular concern to GPs in the first 12 months after Fellowship (65%) and declines over time. On the other hand, the percentage of GPs reporting that maintaining work–life balance is a challenge increases over time, perhaps as they are more likely to take on greater responsibility for managing and running a practice later in their careers. Similarly, GPs later in their careers are more likely to report that sourcing and retaining quality staff, teaching and supervising, and managing administration and business operations are challenges (Figure 41).
The challenges reported by GPs and GPs in training can also vary according to the location of their practice. For example, GPs working in metropolitan areas are more likely to be concerned with remuneration, understanding regulatory and legislative requirements, and dealing with COVID-19, whereas GPs located outside major cities are more likely to be challenged by balancing work and study, accessing other medical experts, sourcing and retaining quality staff, accessing professional development, and teaching and supervising responsibilities (Figure 42).
These findings align with previous editions of the Health of the Nation report regarding the different challenges faced by GPs practising in metropolitan areas compared to regional and rural areas.††
FAQs
GP practices across the country are experiencing significant and growing strain with declining GP numbers, rising demand, struggles to recruit and retain staff and knock-on effects for patients. This page provides analysis on the pressures in general practice and is updated monthly with new data.
Is there a shortage of GPs? ›
We simply do not have enough GPs to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population, with increasingly complex needs, on top of managing the fallout from the pandemic. This includes increasing numbers of people experiencing 'Long COVID' and mental health issues.
What is the hardest part of being a GP? ›
One of the most difficult aspects is the emotional toll. They deal with life and death situations daily. This constant exposure to human suffering can be overwhelming. They must remain composed while delivering bad news to patients and their families.
How many GPs per 1000 patients? ›
There is no recommended number of FTE GPs per 1,000 patients per practice, recognising the differing needs of the registered patients of GP practices. GP practices plan and utilise their workforce to best meet the needs of their patients.
What is the biggest challenge facing healthcare? ›
So, let's hop on a journey to explore the 7 biggest challenges of the healthcare industry!
- Rising Costs of Healthcare Services.
- Financial Challenges for Providers.
- Shortage of Healthcare Professionals.
- The Need for Improved Mental Health Systems.
- Increased Demand for Personalized Care.
- Big Data and Cybersecurity Issues.
What is one of the biggest challenges facing physicians today? ›
The 9 biggest challenges physicians face in daily practice:...
- Staffing shortages — 56%
- Staff turnover — 50%
- Electronic health record reporting — 50%
- Billing and coding requirements — 49%
- Malpractice premiums — 40%
- Competition from nonphysician practitioners — 33%
- Collecting payment from self-pay patients — 29%
How many patients does a GP see a day? ›
Many GPs have said they now have more than 40 or 50 patient contacts a day as demand soars. There were 2,294 patients per GP as of April 2024, an increase of 7.2 per cent since 2019, according to the latest figures from the Royal College of GPs.
Why are GP surgeries struggling? ›
We're immensely understaffed. Partners are leaving their partnerships, practices are closing down. If it goes on the way it is, we will have no primary care any more. For many UK GPs, the seemingly endless demands on their time and “overwhelming” number of patient contacts are key components of work-related stress.
Why do GPs quit? ›
“Unsustainable workload and burnout among the profession is contributing to early retirement. “General practice clinics are already affected by this general practice exodus, with an increasing proportion of practice owners reporting that sourcing and retaining GPs is a key challenge.
What is the lowest ranking doctor? ›
In doctor ranks, the lowest level is general practitioner, and the highest rank is ordinary. 1- (Dr.) General Practitioner: The general practitioner's duties include examining patients, writing prescriptions and reports.
Easiest Doctor to Become
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) ...
- Emergency medicine. ...
- Family medicine. ...
- Internal medicine. ...
- Pathology. ...
- Pediatrics. ...
- Psychiatry. ...
- Anesthesiology.
Is GP a lonely job? ›
GPs often work long hours and have a high patient load, leaving little time for socializing or connecting with others. The constant pressure to provide quality healthcare services within time constraints can create a sense of professional solitude.
How much does a GP practice get paid per patient? ›
The data showed that the average payment per registered payment has risen by £4.04 in the past year – up from £159.61 in 2020/21. The average payment per weighted patient has also risen slightly. It was £159.61 in 2020/21 and rose to £163.68 this year.
Do GPs get paid for each patient they see? ›
Unlike hospital doctors, GPs are not employed by the NHS – the practice works like a small business, receiving a sum of money per patient. We get about £73 as a basic payment for caring for each patient for a whole year.
How many appointments should a GP practice offer? ›
The European Union of General Practitioners and BMA have recommended a safe level of patient contacts per day in order for a GP to deliver safe care at not more than 25 contacts per day. 'At Your Service', published by the Policy Exchange and forwarded by Sajid Javid, states that 28 patient contacts per day is safe.
How to improve access in general practice? ›
increasing the number and range of health professionals working in general practice (giving patients access to professionals with different skillsets) requiring practices to work together to extend their opening times. supporting practices to improve their telephony and triage systems.
What are the problems in practice? ›
Recognizing a problem of practice is the first step of instructional rounds. They allow educators to decide which teaching practices to focus on to help students achieve learning goals. It's important to note that problems of practice focus on instruction.