eMJA: An open letter to the federal Minister for Health from a general practitioner in outback Australia

Reforming Policy

An open letter to the federal Minister for Health from a general practitioner in outback Australia

Susan M Wearne

MJA 2009; 191 (2): 67-69

The global financial crisis teaches us that systems like Medicare may have hidden long-term costs if they are based on short-term gains

Dear Nic,
Forgive my informality, but I have noticed that Australians like to shorten things — this even applies to Medicare.

As a former TeRD (temporary resident doctor), I dreamed of being able to access Medicare for my own chronic diseases. Now I am a proud Australian citizen and grateful for the care my general practitioner gives me courtesy of Medicare. He could view me as a cash cow because my ailments make me eligible for more care plans than I’d like. Instead, he sees me and addresses my concerns when needed, and I have never felt processed or tick-boxed.

Likewise, I want to give my patients quality, evidence-based and compassionate care. I love my job. I am at my best when trying to sort out what needs to be worried about and what does not. But although the Medicare system seems to be working for me as a patient, it does not work for me as a doctor.

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