Forty-four per cent of GPs now name medical misinformation as a challenge in their work, up from 35 per cent last year. The figures come from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' 2026 Health of the Nation report, based on a survey of more than 2,700 GPs. RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said patients increasingly turn to online platforms, social media and AI tools for health information before seeing a doctor. He said inaccurate advice can delay diagnosis and put health at risk.
Hospital records alone may miss more than half of New Zealand adults living with multiple long-term conditions, according to new research. Researchers reviewed the health records of 374,071 adults enrolled with ProCare, a primary health organisation in the greater Auckland region. Using hospital data alone, 14% of adults had two or more long-term conditions. Including GP records raised that figure to 31%. Many conditions are managed in the community by GPs, so hospital data captures only part of the care workload. The researchers say better links between general practice and hospital records would help health planners understand patient needs.
The share of Australians bulk-billed for all their GP care has risen to 63%, up from 56% a year earlier, according to a report by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The increase follows government financial incentives for doctors and practices that bulk-bill all eligible Medicare services. The proportion remains below the 70% recorded in 2019. Dr Michael Wright said the results show patients benefit when governments invest in general practice. Health economist Luke Slawomirski urged caution, noting the survey covers about 7% of the GP workforce and that access and patient outcomes also matter.
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The Australian Medical Association has called on the federal government to commit to properly funded Medicare reform that better supports longer GP consultations. In its submission on a draft review report, the association said changes should strengthen continuity of care and protect patient access. Association president-elect Dr Michael Bonning said Medicare currently pays the same rebate for a six-minute and a 19-minute consultation. The association has proposed a seven-tier consultation structure, and has called for simplification of the Medicare Benefits Schedule to be properly funded and for the modelling behind the changes to be published.
The west coast Tasmanian town of Strahan has a permanent local doctor for the first time in almost ten years. Dr Cathy Welch recently moved from remote Scotland to take up the post at the town's clinic, which is owned by Ochre Health. Residents say repeating their medical history to a new visiting doctor each time has been hard, and some avoid seeking help. Dr Welch says continuity helps doctors ask better questions. Peak body the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says the national shortage of GPs is beginning to ease.
Dr Charlotte Lovejoy has been named General Practitioner in Training of the Year by the Royal Australian College of GPs. The college recognised her commitment to rural and regional healthcare, her leadership and her advocacy. Dr Lovejoy completed the past two years of her Rural Generalist training in Kingaroy, where she worked at Kingaroy Hospital and the Bunya Pines Medical Centre. She shared her experiences as a rural registrar at the college's GP25 conference. She has started work this month at James Street Medical in Brisbane.
