Welcome to the Podiatry Arena forums, for communication between foot health professionals about podiatry and related topics.
You are currently viewing our podiatry forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view all podiatry discussions and access our other features. By joining our free global community of Podiatrists and other interested foot health care professionals you will have access to post podiatry topics (answer and ask questions), communicate privately with other members (PM), upload content, view attachments, receive a weekly email update of new discussions, earn CPD points and access many other special features. Registered users do not get displayed the advertisments in posted messages. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our global Podiatry community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Medicare incentives should be team-based, rather than paid to individual doctors if primary health services are to produce the most effective health outcomes.
This was one of the messages from Christchurch GP and health consultant Dr Paul McCormack, speaking at yesterday’s Australian Health Care Reform Alliance Summit in Melbourne.
Speaking in support of the multi-disciplinary team-based approach, Dr McCormack told the summit that “simply having an individual [based] model for Medicare incentives is setting ourselves up for failure."
“There should be a practice or health centre model based on capitation that provides for greater performance. Incorporating this mix within general practice would be the most effective strategy.”
He said there is now an opportunity for Federal health minister Nicola Roxon to create a funding environment that uses a team-based approach within practices, to allow professionals with the most appropriate skills to deal with patients.
“Doctors are busy people and patients want more time with them. Naturally nurses and allied health professionals are also in a good position to serve best patient interests.”
Dr McCormack added that doctors “should not shy away from patient enrolment."
“In New Zealand, I know exactly who I’m responsible for and this is very useful information for a GP.”
Also speaking at the Summit was chair of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, Dr Christine Bennett, who reiterated the organisation’s proposal for patients with chronic conditions to enrol with a single GP.
The AMA, whose absence was noted at the Summit, has previously expressed its non-agreement with recommending UK style capped budgets for primary care, saying that it does not support patient choice.
Dr Bennett claimed the NHHRC’s recently released interim report has been “generally well received, although in some areas such as hospitals, people feel we have not gone far enough”.
Food for thought?
LL
__________________
***************************************** Remember, it's just a foot.
The Following User Says Thank You to LuckyLisfranc For This Useful Post:
Medicare incentives should target whole team
Linear Mode
