East Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML) GP Primary Health Networks (PHN) Survey 2015 Interim Results...

East Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML)

GP Primary Health Networks (PHN) Survey 2015

Interim Results Apr 2015

This report has been prepared by

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Summary Methodology

To provide Eastern Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML) with the opinions of General Practitioners (GP) as they relate to the new Primary Healthcare Networks (PHN) with a view to informing their approach to supporting them in this change.

A nationwide on-line survey was conducted 16th – 24th April 2015: A sample of n=400 current GPs (and their practices) nationwide. Total sample accurate to +/-4.9% margin of error (at the 95% confidence level). Survey used a research panel of medical professionals. Minimum quotas and data weighting by area to ensure adequate representation.

Questionnaire tool used to investigate and quantify the following topics: How informed GPs feel about the change to PHNs. Their current level of support for PHNs, and the reasons for this prejudice. Priorities for the new PHNs to address for GPs, their practices and their patients. The need for new services from PHNs, and areas in which they should not be involved. Views of the new geographical areas covered by the PHNs. Views on purchasing of services by PHNs. Preferred methods of contact and engagement with PHNs.

Results broken down by region throughout, noting some limited sample sizes.

Summary Findings GPs do not consider themselves well informed about the change to PHNs as yet, with

36% stating they feel informed (just 5% very well informed) and 64% uninformed. Support for and opposition to the change to PHNs , i.e. acceptance of the virtue of

change, is currently split and weak in intensity. This suggests that GPs are not yet fully decided on their attitude to PHNs, with some suggestion of the ‘fear of the unknown’:

34% support the change to PHNs (just 4% strongly supportive). 39% opposed the changes (11% strongly opposing them). But amongst those considering themselves informed, 48% support and 43% oppose.

Those supporting the changes do so because they hope and expect the PHNs to be an improvement on Medicare Locals, whereas those opposed show a wider variety of hesitations and concerns (again, indicative of ‘the unknown’):

34% of those supporting the change to PHNs reported dissatisfied with Medicare locals, with 5-10% each citing improvement in service, delivery, support, cost, efficiency and outcomes.

15% of those opposing thought the change a waste of money, 13% did not believe that change was needed, 10% thought that there were too many changes, with a series of other minor concerns around perceived bureaucracy, the geographical areas, consultation, etc.

This dissatisfaction with Medicare Locals is highlighted in the areas that GPs do not want repeated by PHNs. Commonly, they want; more consultation (13%), reduced bureaucracy (8%), less waste (7%) and better communication (5%).

Summary Findings When asked what they and their practice consider priorities for the PHNs to address,

there were varied suggestions, but with support, information and access key themes: More than 20% stated that education, training and general support for GPs were priorities. And more than 10% cited improved communications (generally and between GPs and

hospitals), better access to services and mental health and priorities. GPs were less sure about what PHNs should be doing as priorities for their patients:

14% suggested that educating and informing the community about the changes. 11% nominated access to services generally, and a further 10% mental health specifically.

These responses tally strongly with their nominated areas of most value for PHNs: 36% mentioned education and training as a necessary or valuable service to be provided. 20% nominated mental health; with diabetes, psychology and immunisation also common. 9% cited general support here, but also for after hours, IT, accreditation and nursing (6-11%).

On the other side of the equation, GPs felt that the PHNs should not have involvement in several areas of operation. Notably:

10% do not want to see involvement in the daily running of their own practices or their finances, 9% in providing patient care, and 6% in any health services.

A further 8% hoped that the PHNs would not be involved in politics, 7% in funding decisions and 5% in unnecessary bureaucracy.

Summary Findings Whilst some GPs agree that the larger PHN areas will mean economies of scale in

purchasing for their practices, more agree that there might be a lack of flexibility: 61% agree that larger networks will produce economies of scale, but only 14% strongly agree. 74% agree that this will mean a ‘one size fits all’ approach, including 26% strongly agreeing.

In terms of purchasing, there is very strong want amongst these GPs that they are involved in both decisions that affect their practice and their local area:

92% agreed that they want a say in how money is spent for their practice, 59% strongly. 90% also agreed that they want a say at a local level too, including 52% strongly agreeing.

Given this want to be involved, and the lack of information more generally, it is a significant finding that e-mail (67%), personal visits (60%) and central meetings (41%) are by far the preferred methods of contact and engagement.

GP Knowledge & Opinions of PHNs

GPs Informed on PHNs: Summary

Q1) The Federal Government has announced that the existing Medicare Locals will be replaced by Primary Health Networks, or PHNs. How informed would you say you are about this change and the new system?

36%

5%

31%

64%

12%

52%

TOTAL WELL INFORMED

Very well informed

Well informed

TOTAL NOT WELLINFORMED

Not at all informed

Not very well informed

GPs Informed on PHNs: Area

Q1) The Federal Government has announced that the existing Medicare Locals will be replaced by Primary Health Networks, or PHNs. How informed would you say you are about this change and the new system?

36%

5%

31%

64%

12%

52%

37%

3%

35%

63%

11%

52%

35%

8%

27%

65%

11%

54%

27%

3%

24%

73%

23%

51%

43%

7%

36%

57%

6%

51%

35%

5%

30%

65%

12%

53%

38%

3%

35%

62%

12%

50%

TOTAL WELL INFORMED

Very well informed

Well informed

TOTAL NOT WELLINFORMED

Not at all informed

Not very well informed

TotalNSWVictoriaQueenslandOther statesMetroRegional / Rural

GPs’ Current Support for PHNs: Summary

Q2) Do you support or oppose the change from Medicare Locals to Primary Health Networks? That is, are you optimistic about this change and agree with it, or are you concerned about this change and tend to disagree with it?

34%

4%

30%

39%

11%

28%

28%

TOTAL SUPPORT

Strongly support

Somewhat support

TOTAL OPPOSE

Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose

Undecided / No opinion


34%

4%

30%

39%

11%

28%

28%

48%

6%

42%

43%

13%

30%

9%

26%

2%

24%

36%

10%

26%

38%

TOTAL SUPPORT

Strongly support

Somewhat support

TOTAL OPPOSE

Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose


Total

Informed

Not informed

GPs’ Current Support for PHNs: Informed


34%

4%

30%

39%

11%

28%

28%

33%

4%

29%

44%

11%

33%

23%

28%

4%

24%

44%

15%

29%

28%

35%

1%

33%

33%

5%

28%

32%

41%

4%

36%

28%

12%

15%

32%

32%

4%

28%

38%

10%

29%

30%

41%

4%

37%

40%

16%

24%

20%

TOTAL SUPPORT

Strongly support

Somewhat support

TOTAL OPPOSE

Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose



GPs’ Current Support for PHNs: Area

Reasons for Supporting PHNs

Q3a) What is the main reason that you support the change to Primary Health Networks? Please explain your thinking in just a few words below. Base: Those supporting PHNs

34%

9%

8%

7%

7%

6%

5%

24%

1%

Dissatisfied with Medicare Locals

Needs improvement / improve service / bett er delivery

Bett er support for GP's

Cost effective / cost savings

Less duplication / more efficient

Bett er outcomes for patients / improve patient care

Bett er coordination / organisation / streamlining

Other reasons

Undecided

Reasons for Opposing PHNs

Q3b) What is the main reason that you oppose the change to Primary Health Networks? Please explain your thinking in just a few words below. Base: Those opposing PHNs

15%

13%

10%

8%

8%

8%

7%

31%

1%

Waste of money / cost too much money

Current systems works / no need to change

Too many changes over the last few years / instability

Too much bureaucracy / red tape

The new areas are much bigger / not addressing localsneeds

Will not provide what locals need / delivery of healthservices

Lack of consultation / communication / information

Other reasons

Undecided

PHN Priorities, Needs & Wants

GP Priorities for PHNs: Summary

Q4) Regardless of your overall opinion, as a GP what do you think should be the immediate priorities for the new Primary Health Networks to address…?

31%

23%

18%

16%

15%

13%

10%

9%

9%

8%

6%

6%

6%

5%

5%

Education / training / accreditation

More support / assistance to GPs (general)

Improve communication between GPs and hospitals

Mental healthcare / mental health funding

Bett er access to health / hospitals / specialist services

Improve communication / information / consultation

After hours services

Medicare / Medicare rebates / bulk billing

More / bett er funding (general)

Support / care for patients / improve patient health

Less bureaucracy / paper work / red tape

IT support / E-Health / electronic records

Chronic disease / chronic disease management

Bett er coordination / organisation / streamlining

Allied health care

GP Priorities for PHNs: Area (1)


31%

23%

18%

16%

15%

13%

10%

35%

30%

18%

12%

11%

17%

9%

31%

20%

15%

20%

21%

12%

12%

31%

19%

23%

15%

12%

15%

9%

25%

21%

14%

20%

16%

7%

9%

32%

25%

19%

14%

17%

11%

8%

28%

17%

12%

22%

9%

21%

17%

Education / training / accreditation


Improve communication between GPs and hospitals

Mental healthcare / mental health funding

Better access to health / hospitals / specialist services

Improve communication / information / consultation



GP Priorities for PHNs: Area (2)


9%

9%

8%

6%

6%

6%

5%

5%

8%

8%

8%

6%

9%

6%

5%

6%

9%

5%

6%

4%

8%

3%

5%

5%

8%

11%

8%

4%

3%

8%

5%

3%

12%

11%

8%

12%

3%

8%

4%

5%

10%

8%

7%

8%

7%

5%

5%

5%

5%

10%

9%

2%

3%

8%

5%

4%

Medicare / Medicare rebates / bulk billing

More / better funding (general)


Less bureaucracy / paper work / red tape



Better coordination / organisation / streamlining

Allied health care


Patient Priorities for PHNs: Summary

Q5) And thinking about the needs of your patients, their satisfaction and well-being, what is the one most valuable thing that the Primary Health Networks could do as a priority for action?

14%

11%

10%

6%

5%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

Education / awareness / information

Better access to health services

Mental health

Better coordination / integration of services


Make more affordable / GP fees / cost of medications

Better communication between healthcare providers

Shorten waiting times


After hours service

Patient Priorities for PHNs: Area

Q5) And thinking about the needs of your patients, their satisfaction and well-being, what is the one most valuable thing that the Primary Health Networks could do as a priority for action?

14%

11%

10%

6%

5%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

16%

12%

8%

4%

6%

4%

5%

4%

5%

4%

10%

9%

17%

4%

3%

6%

3%

3%

5%

5%

15%

12%

9%

7%

8%

4%

5%

5%

4%

4%

13%

13%

6%

8%

5%

6%

6%

5%

2%

2%

14%

12%

11%

5%

4%

4%

4%

5%

5%

2%

13%

10%

8%

8%

8%

7%

6%

1%

2%

8%

Education / awareness / information

Better access to health services

Mental health

Better coordination / integration of services


Make more affordable / GP fees / cost of medications

Better communication between healthcare providers

Shorten waiting times


After hours service


Valuable PHN Services: Summary

Q6) Are there any services that could be provided to your practice by the new Primary Health Networks that you believe would be necessary or valuable? These could be existing services that should be maintained or taken over by them, or new services that should

be introduced.

36%

20%

11%

10%

9%

9%

8%

6%

6%

6%

6%

5%

Education / training

Mental health



More support / assistance to GPs / practices (general)

Diabetes education / diabetes educator

Communication / information

Assistance with accreditation

Psychology services

Vaccine / immunisations

Nurses / nurse support / funding


Valuable PHN Services: Area

Q6) Are there any services that could be provided to your practice by the new Primary Health Networks that you believe would be necessary or valuable? These could be existing services that should be maintained or taken over by them, or new services that should

be introduced.

36%

20%

11%

10%

9%

9%

8%

6%

6%

6%

6%

5%

38%

15%

17%

10%

9%

4%

8%

11%

5%

8%

10%

7%

39%

21%

11%

14%

9%

9%

9%

5%

6%

4%

7%

2%

40%

21%

8%

11%

13%

11%

11%

3%

5%

5%

1%

4%

22%

24%

3%

5%

6%

14%

3%

3%

10%

6%

3%

6%

35%

20%

11%

9%

10%

9%

7%

7%

5%

6%

7%

4%

39%

19%

9%

15%

8%

8%

11%

4%

10%

6%

3%

7%

Education / training

Mental health



More support / assistance to GPs / practices (general)

Diabetes education / diabetes educator

Communication / information

Assistance with accreditation

Psychology services

Vaccine / immunisations

Nurses / nurse support / funding



Areas of PHN Non-Involvement: Summary

Q7) Are there any things that you feel the new Primary Health Networks should not have involvement in?

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

4%

Daily running of practices / practice management /finances

Patient / clinical / primary care

Politics / Government

Funding / fund holding / allocation of funds

Do not provide health services

Unnecessary bureaucracy / paper work / red tape

Providing services that compete with GP services

Areas of PHN Non-Involvement: Area

Q7) Are there any things that you feel the new Primary Health Networks should not have involvement in?

10%

9%

8%

7%

6%

5%

4%

10%

6%

8%

8%

6%

3%

6%

11%

9%

7%

7%

3%

7%

2%

15%

13%

11%

7%

7%

8%

3%

6%

12%

6%

6%

7%

5%

3%

11%

8%

7%

7%

6%

5%

3%

9%

13%

9%

8%

5%

5%

5%

Daily running of practices / practice management /finances

Patient / clinical / primary care

Politics / Government

Funding / fund holding / allocation of funds

Do not provide health services

Unnecessary bureaucracy / paper work / red tape

Providing services that compete with GP services


PHNs & Medicare Locals

Q8) Most of the new Primary Health Networks will cover larger geographical areas than the Medicare Locals they will replace. In terms of understanding and meeting the needs of general practice do you think they will be better or worse?

PHN Geographical Areas Compared to Medicare Locals: Summary

20%

4%

16%

55%

26%

29%

26%

TOTAL BETTER

Much better

Somewhat better

TOTAL WORSE

Much worse

Somewhat worse



PHN Geographical Areas Compared to Medicare Locals: Informed

20%

4%

16%

55%

26%

29%

26%

31%

6%

25%

53%

29%

24%

16%

13%

3%

11%

56%

24%

32%

31%

TOTAL BETTER

Much better

Somewhat better

TOTAL WORSE

Much worse

Somewhat worse


Total

Informed

Not informed


20%

4%

16%

55%

26%

29%

26%

18%

3%

15%

58%

27%

30%

25%

17%

1%

16%

60%

32%

27%

23%

21%

8%

13%

49%

16%

33%

29%

24%

5%

19%

49%

23%

26%

27%

21%

4%

17%

54%

25%

30%

25%

15%

4%

11%

57%

29%

28%

28%

TOTAL BETTER

Much better

Somewhat better

TOTAL WORSE

Much worse

Somewhat worse



PHN Geographical Areas Compared to Medicare Locals: Area

Medicare Local Mistakes to be Avoided: Summary

Q9) Thinking about Medicare Locals, is there anything they did or anything about the way they worked that should not be repeated in these Primary Health Networks?

13%

8%

7%

5%

5%

4%

4%

More consultation / working with GPs


Wasted money

Poor / lack of communication

Too big (to service local needs)

Increased & more accessible education / training

Greater efficiency / quicker response times

Medicare Local Mistakes to be Avoided: Area

Q9) Thinking about Medicare Locals, is there anything they did or anything about the way they worked that should not be repeated in these Primary Health Networks?

13%

8%

7%

5%

5%

4%

4%

10%

7%

8%

5%

5%

5%

4%

14%

9%

9%

3%

6%

4%

3%

15%

7%

5%

8%

4%

4%

3%

14%

10%

4%

6%

3%

0%

6%

13%

9%

6%

4%

4%

4%

4%

12%

5%

9%

9%

7%

2%

3%

More consultation / working with GPs


Wasted money

Poor / lack of communication

Too big (to service local needs)

Increased & more accessible education / training

Greater efficiency / quicker response times


PHN & Purchasing

Q11) One of the roles of the new Primary Health Networks will be to help purchase services for GPs and others. Below are a series of statements about this role, and for each please tell us whether you agree or disagree with what’s being said.

92%

90%

74%

61%

59%

52%

26%

14%

I want to have a say in howthe Primary Health

Networks spend money onservices for my practice


Networks spend money onservices in my local area

Having a larger networkinvolved in purchasing

decisions will mean a ‘onesize fits all’ approach so I

might not get what I want


decisions will meaneconomies of scale andcheaper services for me

Total Agree Strongly Agree

PHN & Purchasing: Summary

Q11) One of the roles of the new Primary Health Networks will be to help purchase services for GPs and others. Below are a series of statements about this role, and for each please tell us whether you agree or disagree with what’s being said. % Total Agree

92%

90%

74%

61%

93%

92%

77%

63%

87%

89%

79%

56%

93%

91%

71%

61%

95%

88%

69%

63%

91%

90%

77%

62%

95%

90%

67%

55%


Networks spend money onservices for my practice


Networks spend money onservices in my local area


decisions will mean a ‘onesize fits all’ approach so I

might not get what I want


decisions will meaneconomies of scale andcheaper services for me

Total NSW Victoria Queensland Other states Metro Regional / Rural

PHN & Purchasing: Area

PHN Consultation & Engagement

Q10) As a GP, how would you prefer that you (and your practice) are consulted and engaged by the new Primary Health Network in your area? Please tick all that apply.

67%

60%

41%

12%

5%

9%

3%

By e-mail

By personal visits

By central meetings

By phone

Through the AMA

Other

None / Do not wantcontact

PHN Consultation & Engagement Preferences: Summary

Q10) As a GP, how would you prefer that you (and your practice) are consulted and engaged by the new Primary Health Network in your area? Please tick all that apply.

67%

60%

41%

12%

5%

9%

3%

70%

60%

42%

13%

6%

6%

4%

72%

59%

44%

13%

3%

11%

1%

63%

61%

41%

17%

5%

12%

1%

61%

58%

37%

5%

6%

9%

3%

68%

58%

40%

11%

5%

9%

3%

66%

64%

46%

15%

5%

11%

3%

By e-mail

By personal visits

By central meetings

By phone

Through the AMA

Other

None / Do not wantcontact


PHN Consultation & Engagement Preferences: Area

East Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML)

GP Primary Health Networks (PHN) Survey 2015

[Month & Year]

Interim Results Apr 2015

Date post:	12-Jan-2016
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East Melbourne Medicare Local (EMML) GP Primary Health Networks (PHN) Survey 2015 Interim Results...

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