Aust Fam Physician
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Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia states that in caring for patients towards the end of their life, good medical practice involves facilitating advance care planning. ⋯ There has been an increased focus on advanced care planning and advance care directives in Australia, partly driven by the ageing population and technological advances, as well as the principle of patient-centred care. General practitioners have an important role in initiating and facilitating advance care planning.
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General practitioners (GPs) tend to focus most of their energies on providing primary healthcare to individuals, with less attention to the overall population health issues in their community. In contrast, public health practitioners tend to focus on the health needs of entire populations, by addressing the social determinants of health, with less attention to individual patient care. ⋯ GPs have an important role in public health both through individual patient care and by engaging with public health issues at local, community and global levels. Adopting a population perspective to healthcare is an important part of modern general practice.
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Fostering generalism is particularly important in rural and regional medical practice in order to maximise the effectiveness of the medical workforce in meeting the needs of an ageing population. There are many areas in which support for generalist practitioners could be increased. ⋯ Six areas of particular relevance to rural and regional practice are: workforce support; rural and regional training pipelines; access to continuing professional development; flexibility in practice ownership; family support; and recognition and remuneration.
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A diverse range of ethical and professionalism issues has been identified in Australian general practice. ⋯ Students want to learn more about career and training decisions and medical mistakes. They may underestimate the complexity of confidentiality and professional relationships in general practice.
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Aboriginal Australians have a higher burden from cardiovascular disease. This study provides a new perspective from Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) working in the area of heart health in the Aboriginal community of western Sydney. ⋯ AHWs are well placed and keen to be a part of the team that assesses cardiovascular risk. However, lack of recognition of the AHWs' skills and lack of access to formal training are current barriers to enhancing their role in the heart health team.