GPs are key to improving care for people living with diabetes, the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
In its submission to the Inquiry into Diabetes in Australia, the RACGP has provided 17 recommendations to improve care for people with diabetes, including:
- Investment in shared care models so patients are supported by their GP, other specialists, and allied health professionals to improve health outcomes
- Allowing GPs to certify continuous and flash glucose monitoring forms and incentivise point-of-care testing
- Increased funding for Medicare patient rebates for standard GP consultations, longer consultations for complex care, and consultations focused on prevention to ensure people can access the care they need
- Support for lifestyle interventions including social prescribing, which is proven to improve health and wellbeing by engaging patients in activities like yoga and walking group
- Support for culturally appropriate strategies for diabetes management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- A national nutrition policy with particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' needs, and funding for regular updates or living guidelines to support GPs and other health professionals caring for patients
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said GPs are central to diabetes care and this should be reflected in health policies.
"Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia. It affects around 5% of the population, but it's thought that around 30% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed," she said.
"This is a complex, long-term disease. People with diabetes often have multiple other health issues, all of which need to be treated cohesively.
"GPs play a central role in prevention, as well as diagnosis and management of diabetes. We know that early detection is key to optimal health outcomes, as is ongoing management by a GP, working with a multidisciplinary team. This care needs to be affordable and accessible for everyone who needs it.
"GPs are highly trained and can do more to improve care for people with diabetes, but there needs to be adequate Medicare funding for patients. Increasing Medicare patient rebates for standard GP consultations, as well as longer consultations which are essential for complex care, and consultations focused on prevention would make a big difference.
"The government should also invest in shared care models and enable GPs to work at the top of their scope of practice collaboratively and effectively in multidisciplinary teams. For example, GPs should be able to certify glucose monitoring forms, and it would make life a lot easier for patients if they could. But we are held back by regulatory red tape.
"People would also benefit significantly if there was support for lifestyle interventions including social prescribing.
"Social prescribing is when GPs help to engage patients in activities to improve their health and wellbeing, such as sports groups and social activities. It's simple and highly effective in improving health outcomes, as well as helping mental health issues, and loneliness which is a rapidly growing problem in our society. People living with diabetes often have other associated health issues like these and would benefit significantly from access to lifestyle interventions.
"With diabetes being one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in Australia, it's critical that we get health policy right. Investing in care in the community, including prevention will not only result in better health outcomes, it will mean less people end up in hospital, which will save the health budget in the long run."
