Primary care reform: View from Australia

TLDR: At this time of uncertainty in Canadian family medicine, perhaps something can be learned from the Australian experience, as Australia has revolutionized the organization and delivery of general practice care.

Abstract: In recent years, the Canadian health care system’s universality, comprehensiveness, and accessibility have been shaken by the effects of increasing medical technology, contraction of the hospital sector, an aging population, and widespread physician shortages. All have contributed to a situation where access to care is becoming difficult, health services fragmented, and health care workers increasingly demoralized. In response, there has been no shortage of proposals for reform, particularly in the area of primary care. Government, medical organizations, and health advocacy groups have tackled the issue. Despite two decades of endeavour, no province has implemented meaningful reform. In the same period, Australia has revolutionized the organization and delivery of general practice care. At this time of uncertainty in Canadian family medicine, perhaps something can be learned from the Australian experience.