Aussies delay GP visits due to financial crisis
More than a quarter of Australians have avoided or delayed visiting the doctor in the last six months, as a result of the global financial crisis, according to Research Australia’s latest public opinion poll.
Responding to increasing financial pressures of the past six months:
- 28% have ‘Avoided or delayed visits to a GP, dentist or specialist doctor’
- 20% have ‘Put off buying new or replacement prescription glasses’
- 13% have ‘Reduced the use of allied health services such as the chiropractor or physiotherapist’
- 11% have ‘Reduced or cancelled private healthcare membership’
People aged 35-49 and those residing in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have been most affected. The poll shows 31% of families have avoided or delayed visits to their GP, dentist or specialist doctor in an attempt to save money due to increased financial pressure.
This supports the polls finding that 51% of people have been negatively affected by the global financial crisis, much of it being stress related. The President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Dr Chris Mitchell, recommends that everyone have a GP.
“Obviously the economic situation had a broad impact across the country for both doctors and patients. One of the key roles of general practitioners is to prevent disease.
“It is a good idea to find time to see your GP to talk about disease prevention such as smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity. If the cost of a consultation is of concern, it’s worth discussing this with your GP as maintaining good health is very important,” Dr Mitchell said.
Research Australia is a not for profit body for health and medical research. It is a national alliance of more than 180 member and supporting organisations working together to promote health and medical research in Australia.
