Articles / Mandatory health checks: full survey results are in
Following a snap poll of GPs who attended Healthed’s Women’s and Children’s Health Update last month, we surveyed more than 1600 GPs after out latest fortnightly webcast to see how a larger and more gender-balanced demographic feels about the Medical Board’s proposed solutions to the disproportionate number of complaints levelled against doctors aged 70 or older.
With the Medical Board’s consultation process underway, we put the three options they are seeking input on directly to GPs:
When we asked GPs which option was most appropriate, 50% agreed with the Board’s preferred choice of requiring general health checks with their peers, while 9% supported extensive assessments by a specialist and 41% felt nothing extra needed to be done to ensure safe care.
Like the snap poll, the larger follow-up survey shows a divide between older and younger GPs. Again, we found that the older GPs were, the more likely they were to support keeping the status quo, while the younger they were, the more likely they were to support interventions.
Even GPs who aren’t keen on assessments overall much prefer peer-led health checks over specialist-led assessments.
When we asked how strongly GPs agreed or disagreed with the proposal to require mandatory health checks by their peers, 47% agreed, 20% were neutral and 33% disagreed.
While there were fewer GPs in the oldest and youngest cohorts, they had the most polarised views. GPs aged 35-54 were much more likely to agree with GP-led mandatory health checks for doctors aged 70 and up. And on the flip side, doctors aged 65 and over were more likely to disagree with them than their younger colleagues.
We also asked what else could be done to support late-career doctors to stay safe in practice. About one quarter of the 800 free text responses we received suggested some form of health assessment to ensure fitness to practice, while others highlighted the importance of peer support and mental health support, as well as peer review and monitoring and strategies to reduce pressure on ageing GPs. More than 20% strongly opposed any extra measures, instead favouring the status quo.
Here’s what GPs in our survey are suggesting.
Changes to facilitate peer review
Several GPs suggested that late-career doctors should be encouraged to work in group practices, with some suggesting additional assessments for those working solo.
Strategies to ease the pressure
Others suggested encouraging older doctors to reduce their workload, retire earlier and transition to part time or advisory roles as they age.
Support and Encouragement
Many surveyed GPs suggested ways late-career doctors could be better supported.
Health assessments
Some GPs felt these should be mandatory, while others thought they should be encouraged through policy.
Opposition to extra measures
Others were adamant that the current system is adequate to ensure safety.
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Strongly agree
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Neutral
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