Two communication challenges that have hit the media recently should act as a warning for the increasing automation of communication for GPs.

First, there’s the mandatory new rules for referring patients to public hospital clinics in Victoria; and second, the ineffective management of patients supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which sees GPs’ involvement relegated to a form-filling exercise.

Australian Doctor reported last month that Victoria Health had introduced more formality in GPs’ referrals to specialist clinics, including vascular surgery, urology and adult ENT. Patients referred without ‘complete’ information — and the information required is extensive — will no longer be accepted, nor will patients whose referrals do not satisfy specific criteria.

For example, a patient referred for an aortic aneurysm requires radiological evidence that it is at least 4cm in diameter or is growing more than 1cm a year. And a patient for prostate cancer assessment must have a PSA level according to certain age criteria, a palpable prostatic abnormality or bone pain.