While healthcare practitioner numbers have risen by 18% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question arises: why does a chronic shortage of GPs persist? Recent data from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) reveals a record 877,119 registered practitioners across all professions, with over 5,000 individuals applying monthly.
Specifically, the number of doctors has surged by 15% since June 2019, climbing from 118,996 to 136,742 by June of this year. Despite this growth, the predicted shortage of 10,600 GPs by 2031 remains a concern, with the demand for GP services anticipated to rise significantly over the next decade.
In an exploration of this critical issue, Kulasegaram Sanchayan engages in discussions with respected professionals in the field. Dr. Paran Sithamparakumar, an established GP with his own practice, Dr. Bhagi Siva, a practicing GP in Sydney for the past five years, and Samantha Vigneswaran, a dedicated medical student aspiring to become a GP, share their insights on the challenges and potential consequences of the persistent GP shortage in Australia.
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