Are EDs really full of GP-type presentations?
A study concluded that 77% of GP-type presentations could not be managed in general practice.
The idea that millions of emergency patients could be managed in general practice is overblown, Australian research suggests.
Politicians at state and federal levels have been keen to divert patients from EDs to primary care, with the Federal Government investing $350 million in GP urgent care centres as ED alternatives.
Back in January, the Tasmanian Premier said 40% of patients presenting to ED could be managed by GPs or pharmacists.
But his definition, and that used by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), is that all non-urgent or semi-urgent ED presentations are “GP-type patients”.
