The Macarthur GP After-hours Service: a model of after-hours care for Australia.
BACKGROUND
The Macarthur GP After-hours Service (MGPAS) was established to streamline the provision of after-hours medical care in an outer-urban community. This paper reports on a process evaluation of the MGPAS.


METHODS
A mixed methods approach involving surveys, stakeholder interviews and analysis of administrative data was used.


CONCLUSIONS
This model of care was well accepted and regarded by general practitioners, Macarthur Health Service staff and the community. The MGPAS was found to be an acceptable and efficient model of after-hours medical care. Areas that required further review included the need for telephone triage, home visiting and improved communication and referral to the health service. The financial viability of the MGPAS depends on supplementary funding due to the constraints of the Medicare rebate, and limited opportunities to reduce costs or increase revenue. Further research, including an economic evaluation to identify opportunity costs of the service, is needed.
Comino
Elizabeth J
EJ
UNSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW 1871, Australia. E.Comino@unsw.edu.au
Zwar
Nicholas A
NA
Hermiz
Oshana
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008330:Management Audit; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009313:National Health Programs; D009517:New South Wales; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family