GPs Face Growing Pressure as Patient Health Needs Become More Complex
28 Oct 2026
Almost three-quarters of Australian general practitioners (GPs) say that managing increasingly complex patient needs is their biggest professional challenge, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The findings come from the college’s 2026 Health of the Nation report, launched at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday. More than 2,700 GPs took part in the survey, making it the largest response in the report’s 10-year history.
The report found that 72% of GPs consider complex patient presentations their greatest challenge. Around two-thirds also said they spend more time with patients than in previous years. The average consultation now lasts almost 19 minutes, rising to more than 21 minutes for female GPs.
Many GPs are also treating conditions that are usually managed by specialists or hospital services. The survey found that 89% manage conditions commonly treated by non-GP specialists, while 76% care for conditions typically handled by emergency departments or urgent care clinics.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said GPs continue to play a central role in healthcare while facing growing demands.
He said GPs are managing more chronic diseases, mental health concerns and multiple health conditions. They are also helping patients navigate an increasingly complex health system.
Dr Wright called on policymakers to increase Medicare rebates to better support consultations that require more time.
A draft report from the MBS Review Advisory Committee, released in September, found that the current Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee structure can encourage shorter appointments and disadvantage patients who need longer consultations.
Dr Wright said longer appointments give GPs more time to manage several health conditions, coordinate care, support prevention and address complex medical needs. He added that current Medicare funding does not adequately reflect the time required for modern general practice.
The report also found that more GPs are working full time and that 99% of patients can access a GP when needed.
The proportion of patients who are always bulk billed has increased to 63%, up from 56% over the past two years.
Despite government investment, rising operating costs remain a major concern for general practices. The survey found that 82% of practice owners identified increasing business costs as a key challenge.
Misinformation is also becoming a greater concern. The proportion of GPs who identified it as an issue in their work rose to 44%, compared with 35% in the previous year.
Meanwhile, more GPs are recognising the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in general practice. Overall, 39% said AI scribes and other AI tools could improve efficiency and provide value. Among GPs in training, this figure was 68%.
The report also highlighted concerns about racism in healthcare. One in three GPs said they had witnessed racism towards patients elsewhere in the healthcare system during the past year. One in five reported experiencing racism from a patient in their own practice.
The RACGP is calling on the Federal Government to fund better monitoring of racism across general practice and primary healthcare. Dr Wright said these efforts should be developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally marginalised groups.
The college is also calling for Medicare health assessment items to cover more patients and for an independent primary care pricing authority to oversee MBS fees.
GPs Face Growing Pressure as Patient Health Needs Become More Complex
Source: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Health of the Nation 2026.