Australian Medical Association Family Doctor Week

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 13 Jul 2004 - 18:00 PDT

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Launching Australian Medical Association (AMA) Family Doctor Week 2004 (11 - 17 July) in Canberra today, AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said Australian communities must tell their governments to do more to keep their family doctors - their GPs - in their towns and suburbs.

Dr Glasson said GPs are becoming a threatened species in many areas and there is a risk they will go the way of the banks, the post offices, and other vital services that were once taken for granted.

"We are in the grips of a serious doctor shortage in Australia and not enough is being done to stop our doctors disappearing for good," Dr Glasson said.

"We have to place a greater value on our GPs. We have to train more GPs and we have to find ways to get them to all sorts of Australian communities - city and country, big and small - and get them re-established as core members of those communities.

"But Family Doctor Week is all about patients too.

"With the theme, Visit Your GP: It's a Healthy Practice, AMA Family Doctor Week is all about encouraging people of all ages to visit their doctor to keep healthy and avoid illness.

"Regular check-ups are important, especially for men who believe they will never get sick.

"Spotting a problem early, often when there are no warning signs or symptoms, can help prevent serious health issues down the track.

"It's important to be vigilant about blood pressure and blood sugars to skin spots and weight.

"GPs can support efforts to give up smoking or to start an exercise routine.

"GPs can help patients manage diabetes, mental illness, arthritis, asthma, dementia, and other chronic and ongoing illnesses and ailments.

"GPs often enjoy ongoing relationships with local families, sometimes spanning three generations. First hand knowledge of family history helps with diagnosis and ongoing care.

"Your local GP is the perfect one-stop shop for better health throughout life," Dr Glasson said.

Family Doctor Week runs from 11 to 17 July, and is supported by American Express.

Australian Medical Association

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