Australians turn to Dr Google as the cost of seeing a GP rises

A survey of more than 10,000 adults by Healthengine and the Australian Patients Association has shown in the past two years, confidence in the country's medical system had dropped from 7.8 to 7.0 out of 10.

Adults across the country provided personal points of view and experiences on a range of public and private healthcare services including primary care, private health insurance, emergency departments, elective surgery, Medicare, mental health and prescription medication costs for the Australian Healthcare Index June 2023.

Tasmanians reported the lowest satisfaction level at 6.4 out of 10 followed by ACT (6.5) and SA (6.9). NSW and WA reported the highest at 7.1.

Respondents also expressed concerns with aged care, ambulance services, rural/remote care, elective surgery delays and NDIS/disability care.

GP wait times and out-of-pocket costs has seen fewer people visit their GP for non emergency care with one fifth now using Dr Google and other online guidance. About 9 per cent said they would go to the pharmacy for initial advice, 7 per cent said they would consult with a friend or family member and 2 per cent would go to hospital/emergency department.

The Index highlighted the growing affordability crisis in Australian primary healthcare. When respondents were asked how much they could afford in out-of-pocket costs to see a GP, 17 per cent said they could not afford anything, a further 31 per cent said they could only afford $20 or less, 25 per cent said they could afford $21-$40, 11 per cent $41-$60, 4 per cent $61-$80 and only 2 per cent more than $80.

The number of respondents who would recommend their GP has also dropped since 2021 blaming increasing out-of-pocket costs, difficulty booking appointments & poor availability of booking times, lack of bulk billing, poor quality of care, poor medical advice and waiting room times too long.

Nearly half of those surveyed do not have a regular dentist with 36 per cent blaming out-of -pocket costs.

Nearly three quarters of respondents said they would recommend their pharmacist with 80 per cent using the pharmacy for prescription medication. Beyond the trip to the pharmacy for the expected prescription and over-the-counter medication, 30 per cent of respondents look to their pharmacist for medication advice, 25 per cent for vaccinations and 20 per cent for healthcare advice.

More than half of those who attended a public hospital emergency department were satisfied with their experience (59 per cent) and 52 per cent said they went to the ED because it was after hours and their GP clinic was closed.

The majority of people (66 per cent) believe Medicare should provide universal coverage for everyone - regardless of income. Some 52 per cent said they would support paying a higher Medicare levy to have dental care covered by Medicare, with the highest interest from those 18-34 at 56 per cent and lowest from those age 65 and over at 46 per cent.