By Carmel Sparke, Australian Doctor

Obtaining a prescription tops the list of the reasons Australians visit their GP, followed by a review  appointment, and then treatment for an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, according to the latest MedicineInsight data.

The General Practice Insights Report 2016-17, commissioned from NPS MedicineWise by the Federal Department of Health, analysed information from 475 general practices across Australia on 2.1 million patients, including details on conditions treated, management and outcomes over time.

“The report shows GPs most frequently prescribed penicillin, antidepressants, opioids and drugs for peptic ulcers and reflux,” Department of Health chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, said in releasing the report.

“It also shows that 42% of patients had at least one pathology test result recorded.”

Here’s the top 10 most frequent reasons for visiting a GP
  1. Obtain a prescription.
  2. Review or follow up.
  3. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.
  4. Immunisation.
  5. Discussion of test results.
  6. Hypertension.
  7. Registered nurse visit.
  8. Referral letter.
  9. Wound care/dressing change.
  10. Pap smear.

ARCHIVE

SEARCH

Dr Katrina Marshall

Dr Katrina Marshall graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2004 and completed her general practice training in 2010. Originally from Tasmania – she relocated to Cairns in early 2011 from [...]

Dr Carl Vogler

Dr Carl Vogler graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 and immediately moved to the best part of Australia, Far North Queensland! He began his training at Cairns Base Hospital in 2006 [...]

Dr Debbie Richards

Dr Debbie Richards graduated from London University in 1988 and completed general practice fellowship in 1995. Dr Richards is married with three young daughters and works part time. With a [...]

page 1 of 4

Related Projects
Please rotate your device