GP consults bounce back after peak pandemic
One in three Australians say they have had more medical appointments in the past six months, reveals new index
GP and other healthcare consults bounced back quickly from a drop at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with patients giving the profession a healthy approval rating, says a new index.
The survey of almost 8170 Australians last November shows that more than one in three (37%) reported having more appointments than usual in the preceeding six months.
And some 53% said they maintained their typical level of consults with doctors and other healthcare provider, while just 8% had fewer, according to the first Australian Healthcare Index released on Thursday.
Most patients had either 1-3 (45%) or four or more (49%) consults, said the report that aims to check the pulse of the national system through patient perspectives.
