Bushfires, 2003. A rural GP's perspective.
BACKGROUND
Extensive bushfires in January and February of 2003 had a major impact on many communities in northeast Victoria, East Gippsland, southern New South Wales and Canberra. These fires eventually engulfed an area roughly equivalent to the entire area of Germany.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes the impact of the fires and the role of the general practitioner in the emergency response, and presents recommendations for the role of general practice in future disaster planning.


CONCLUSIONS
General practitioners have critical roles in the provision of round the clock general medical services to their communities in times of bushfire or natural disaster. They also act as gatekeepers to mental health services, psychiatric referral and counselling alongside other community based programs. Divisions of general practice have a pivotal role to play in disaster plans, particularly in coordinating the maintenance of ongoing medical services, facilitating communication between GPs and essential services, and integrating general practice into postdisaster recovery.
Robinson
Mark
M
markrobinson@nevicdgp.org.au
D001315:Australia; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000517:prevention & control