Data Analysis and Report of GP Census (Staff)

Census of Tasmanian General Practitioners, 2007 – Data Analysis

Dr Quynh Lê and Dr Christine Stirling worked with the General Practice Tasmania to produce the annual GP Census Report.

The annual census collected information on a range of GP characteristics and their workforce participation. The report provided important information for health care planners and GPs and allowed Quynh and Christine to investigate the relationships between GP characteristics, location, and workforce participation. It is expected that future demand for health care services will increase pressures on general practice as Australia's population ages coupled with a situation of tightening labour supply. Workforce shortages in general practice have been acknowledged by increased intakes of medical students Australia wide, and the particular problems for rural recruitment and retention have resulted in new rural scholarship programs.

This document presents the key characteristics of the Tasmanian GP workforce during 2007 including GP numbers, gender, age and workforce participation, place of qualification, and influences factors to GP demand from the GP Census. Furthermore, for the first time, demographic factors that may influence the demand for GP services have been mapped against the GP census data which will allow planners to consider broader supply side issues.

The Census was undertaken by General Practice Tasmania Limited, also providing funding for the data analysis. The final report was launched in October 2007 and is available on the General Practice Tasmania website at http://www.gptasmania.com.au/