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.

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