Doctors overwhelmingly reject Government's plan for care for patients with diabetes - AMA survey [Update]
Updated: Sophie Scott's Health Report, 14 July 2010, The ABC's national medical reporter Sophie Scott looks at the row brewing over the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients and why Australian teenagers are being exposed to more violence than ever before
A national AMA survey of GPs has revealed an overwhelming rejection of the Government’s proposed plan for care for patients with diabetes, with just four per cent of the respondents saying they would definitely participate in the new scheme.
The AMA survey was conducted across all States and Territories, and with urban, regional, and rural and remote GPs, during June 2010.
Other key findings of the survey include:
- Just two per cent of respondents believe the Government scheme will result in GPs being able to spend more time with their patients with diabetes;
- 88 per cent of respondents oppose patient enrolment to the scheme;
- Just 2.3 per cent of respondents believe the Government’s plan is an improvement on existing Medicare arrangements for patients with diabetes;
- 91 per cent said they consider the AMA’s comprehensive plan to improve care for patients with complex and chronic diseases, including diabetes, to be superior to the Government’s plan (see AMA plan attached); and
- 98 per cent of respondents feel that there was not adequate consultation with the medical profession by the Government in development of the scheme.
AMA Vice President and Brisbane GP, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the survey reinforces the AMA’s strong opposition to the Government scheme.
“From day one, we have said this scheme will not deliver better care for patients with diabetes,” Dr Hambleton said.
“It is a scheme that robs patients of their Medicare rebate entitlements.
“It is a scheme that interferes with the doctor-patient relationship and limits patient choice.
“It is a scheme that imposes arbitrary limits on funding for patient care.
“It is a scheme that must be scrapped before it begins,” Dr Hambleton said.
Dr Hambleton said that the AMA has proposed a more comprehensive patient-centred plan for people with complex and chronic disease that recognises the importance of enhancing care for all people with chronic conditions, including diabetes.
“The AMA plan builds on what works and has the overwhelming support of GPs,” Dr Hambleton said.
“We call on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to consult with the AMA and the medical profession to provide people with diabetes with better access to GP-coordinated multidisciplinary care and other important support services.”
The AMA survey produced a list of priorities that GPs believe will lead to better care for patients with complex and chronic disease. The top two priorities are:
- Cut the red tape requirements for Medicare chronic disease items; and
- Introduce streamlined arrangements in Medicare chronic disease items for GPs to refer patients to allied health services.
Dr Hambleton said the findings of the AMA survey are backed by a survey of diabetes patients conducted by Diabetes Australia-NSW, also released today, which shows that the majority of respondents would prefer to continue with current arrangements than move to the new Government scheme.
Diabetes Australia-NSW has indicated support for the comprehensive AMA plan.
“The Government must now realise that its scheme is opposed by patients with diabetes and their doctors, and it is time to have a serious look at the AMA plan,” Dr Hambleton said.
11 July 2010
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Geraldine Kurukchi 02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753
Attachments:
- Summary of the AMA survey of GP Attitudes to Federal Government reforms to the Funding of care for Patients with Diabetes
- Summary of AMA Plan to Improve Care for Patients with Chronic and Complex Care Needs – http://www.ama.com.au/node/5519
Follow the AMA on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident