The influence of geographical location on the complexity of rural general practice activities.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the complexity of activities undertaken in general practice in relation to degree of rurality of the practice.


METHODS
National mail questionnaire survey across non-metropolitan Australia in July 2002.


METHODS
1498 respondents out of 4406 GPs providing at least 375 Medicare-rebatable consultations in rural and remote locations during January-March 2002 (response rate, 35%).


METHODS
Responses to five sentinel measures of practice complexity.


RESULTS
In general, the proportion of GPs providing complex services increases with increasing rurality or remoteness. Isolated rural and remote GPs manage myocardial infarctions to a higher level than GPs in larger rural and regional centres, are more likely to administer cytotoxic drugs, perform forensic examinations, stabilise injured patients pending retrieval, and coordinate discharge planning more often.


CONCLUSIONS
The more rural or remote the area, the more likely a GP is to be regularly engaged in complex care. These findings have implications for the workload, responsibility, vocational satisfaction, need for professional education and support, and costs and remuneration of practice.
Humphreys
John S
JS
School of Rural Health, Monash University, PO Box 42, North Bendigo, VIC 3550. john.humphreys@med.monash.edu.au
Jones
Judith A
JA
Jones
Michael P
MP
Mildenhall
David
D
Mara
Paul R
PR
Chater
Bruce
B
Rosenthal
David R
DR
Maxfield
Nola M
NM
Adena
Michael A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents