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If you've ever wondered why female GPs earn less than men, here's why. If you've ever wondered why some GPs rush you out of the room at 6 minutes, this is why. If you've ever thought that GP appointments should be longer, this explains the status quo. #medicare #genderpaygap
(not my graph, stolen from a Dr Daniel).
I became frustrated that the Medicare system incentivises fast consults, and when I realised that I was penalised for spending time with my patients. And because I realised that my female colleagues were also being punished for discussing mental health and complex conditions.
I started writing about it a few years ago. And then up got the guts to say it in a public forum. But GPs need your support. It's a real struggle to attract GPs to work in low income areas, with the poor and marginalised- who can't afford to pay significant gap fees.
We can see the ramifications of this in real-time, in the midst of a pandemic.
Here are some things I've written about it before. https://www.smh.com.au/national/slow-medicine-and-listening-to-the-patient-saves-lives-20190805-p52e32.html
Twitter-sphere, why aren't Australians demanding better GP funding? We all know the value of a good GP yet Medicare funding for primary care has been stagnant for over a decade. If we ignore it for much longer, it may be too late to resuscitate this system. #auspol #slowmedicine
