Female GPs: positively impacting our health

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ benchmark annual report ‘General Practice: Health of the Nation 2017’ has found that female GPs are playing a decisive role in preventative health care — and are consequently having a positive impact on the health of the nation.

RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said: “The 2017 report has identified psychological ailments and obesity as Australians’ biggest health problems, and female GPs are taking a leading role in tackling these issues.”

Psychological ailments are the most common issues GPs manage, with female GPs (68%) being more likely to report this than their male counterparts (53%).

Female GPs are also more likely to mention mental health (59% versus 37%) and obesity (49% versus 36%) as issues causing them concern for the future.

“Female patients are also visiting their GP more frequently than male patients,” Dr Seidel said.

“Over 81% of female patients and 73% of male patients have a regular GP. People who see their regular GP are less likely to need expensive emergency department or hospital care.

“The 2017 report findings suggests this is now benefiting the health of patients and the health of the nation.”

To read the report, visit the RACGP website.

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