Insights from the medical profession
To support the development of AMA’s Vision for Australia’s Health 2024–2027, the AMA sought the perspectives of its members and other stakeholders to ensure the document would foster effective decision-making and policy formulation. The AMA would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the members and stakeholders who dedicated their time, expertise, and insights to actively participate in the collaborative development of this document.
Key concerns of the medical profession
The resilience of our medical professionals and their ability to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population is being tested by systemic inadequacies and structural deficiencies across Australia’s healthcare system. The biggest challenges voiced by the profession were the hurdles impeding patients — in particular diverse populations — from accessing timely and equitable care. These hurdles include long waiting lists for appointments, workforce shortages, public hospitals that are over capacity, the increasing costs of healthcare, and the challenges of access to care in regional, rural, and remote areas. Additionally, many doctors expressed concerns about the increasing complexity of patient presentations due to the diminishing focus on preventive healthcare to address determinants of health. As a result, many doctors are experiencing burnout due to high clinical workloads and non-clinical stresses, including administrative burden, poor professional development, the impact of inadequate Medicare rebates, the impact of the increasing cost of delivering care on practice viability, and the challenges of navigating the labyrinth of regulatory and compliance requirements.
In addition, many doctors expressed concerns about the inconsistent leadership and governance of the health system and the blame-shifting between different levels of government, which leads to fragmented and uncoordinated care. There were also concerns about the health system’s failure to prepare for the future, including limited proactive measures to support environmental sustainability, poor adoption of new infrastructure and technology, and slow progression towards interoperability. Furthermore, many doctors raised concerns about the viability of the private health system, and the impact of insurer-led healthcare and vertical control.
Strengths of Australia’s healthcare system
The medical profession offered valuable insights into the strengths of Australia’s healthcare system. There was considerable appreciation for government funding of the MBS, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), public hospital services, and many community services which support patient access and set Australia apart from many other countries. General practice was celebrated for its central role in promoting preventive care, managing chronic conditions, and providing continuity of care to patients. Public hospitals were recognised for the indispensable role in providing high-quality emergency care and critical services, and the private sector was praised for its role in expanding access to elective surgeries and alleviating pressure on public hospitals. Doctors also highlighted the profound impact of preventive health initiatives and public health campaigns on population health outcomes, citing examples such as smoking cessation programs, vaccination campaigns, and screening initiatives. These efforts were credited with reducing the burden of disease and improving overall health outcomes for the population.
There was also widespread acknowledgement of the high standard of care provided by healthcare professionals in Australia, underscored by Australia’s high standards of education and training and the unwavering dedication and expertise of Australia’s health workforce. Collaboration and communication between healthcare professionals were identified as key strengths, with doctors noting the increased emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork in delivering comprehensive and coordinated care and the strides that have been made towards fostering a culture of collaboration. Additionally, the adoption of technology, including telehealth and digital health records, was celebrated as a positive development that enhances healthcare delivery, supports collaboration, and improves patient outcomes.