• C L Johnston, M G Coulthard, P J Schluter, and M L Dick.
• Centre for General Practice, School of Population Health, Mayne Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
• Med. J. Aust. 2001 Jul 16; 175 (2): 99-103.

ObjectiveTo determine the type and frequency of emergencies in general practice, and the extent to which general practices are equipped to appropriately respond to emergencies.DesignRandom-sample, cross-sectional questionnaire survey of general practitioners, October 1999 - March 2000.SettingGeneral practices in south-east Queensland.Participants512 of 900 eligible GPs in current clinical practice.Main Outcome MeasuresThe type and frequency of medical emergencies presenting to GPs, and descriptive details of emergency drugs and equipment available in their practices.Results512 GPs (response rate, 57%) reported managing a cumulative total of 5640 emergencies over the preceding 12 months. Non-metropolitan GPs saw about 30% more emergencies than their metropolitan counterparts (median, 9 and 7, respectively; P=0.02). The most common emergencies (seen by more than 30% of all GPs) were acute asthma, psychiatric emergencies, convulsions, hypoglycaemia, anaphylaxis, impaired consciousness, shock, poisoning and overdose. Most GPs (77%) stocked 15 or more of the 16 emergency doctor's bag drugs, but a smaller proportion (67%) had all of the basic emergency equipment items considered essential.ConclusionsA substantial number of patients with potentially life-threatening emergencies present to GPs. Doctor's bag emergency drugs are available in most general practices, but availability of basic emergency equipment is suboptimal.

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