Australia (Commonwealth)_In Australia, young people facing chronic illnesses are encountering significant hurdles in accessing the healthcare they desperately need. Zali-Meg McPherson, a 22-year-old with lupus, has been struggling for 18 months to secure a consultation with a specialist, facing exorbitant costs ranging from $900 to $1,200. Additionally, the burden of medication expenses forces individuals like Zali-Meg to make difficult choices, often leading to delays in receiving essential treatments. Such stories highlight a fundamental issue within Australia’s healthcare system: the lack of an integrated approach to addressing the needs of individuals with chronic conditions.
According to health policy analyst Jennifer Doggett, this problem extends beyond Zali-Meg’s case. Young people in Australia are grappling with prevalent chronic illnesses such as obesity and mental health disorders, both of which require ongoing management. Unfortunately, over half of 18 to 34-year-olds surveyed reported visiting a general practitioner less frequently due to out-of-pocket costs, while the same group was the least likely to have a regular GP. The consequences of this trend are concerning, as delayed care may lead to increased healthcare costs when individuals end up requiring hospitalization. Moreover, the impact on productivity and community contributions cannot be overlooked.
The Australian government has taken steps to address the issue, with substantial investments in reducing GP consultation costs. A $3.5 billion initiative aims to triple incentives for GPs to bulk bill their patients, making consultations more affordable. While this measure is promising, deeper structural changes are necessary to attract young people back to the primary health system.
Dr. Clara Tuck Meng Soo, a Canberra GP, emphasizes the need to shift the focus from acute care to preventative healthcare services. Expanding emergency departments and walk-in clinics, while valuable for acute medical issues, fall short in providing comprehensive solutions for individuals with chronic conditions, particularly mental health concerns. To reverse the current trend, the primary health system must be made more appealing to young people.
Jennifer Doggett suggests that adapting healthcare services to fit the lifestyles of Millennials and Gen Z is crucial. The conventional approach of making appointments, enduring lengthy waits, and sitting in crowded waiting rooms is off-putting to the younger generation. Instead, healthcare services should be brought to where young people already spend their time, such as workplaces, universities, schools, and leisure venues. By integrating healthcare into these settings, accessibility and convenience can be improved, encouraging young individuals to engage with primary healthcare providers.
While the government’s efforts to address these issues are commendable, they should also focus on expanding preventative health services and ensuring accessibility for young people. Details on these plans have been limited, prompting the need for a comprehensive strategy that embraces innovation and aligns with the preferences and lifestyles of the younger generation.
In October of this year, the Department of Health and Aged Care will launch a program called MyMedicare, which will allow individuals to register their regular practice, choose their preferred GP, and healthcare team. This initiative is a step in the right direction, but further exploration is needed to engage young people effectively in primary healthcare services.
Addressing the challenges faced by young Australians in accessing healthcare is crucial. By creating an integrated and accessible system that offers comprehensive care, we can ensure better health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and maximize the contributions of our youth to society. Together, let us strive for a future where young individuals can access the care they need, when they need it, in a manner that resonates with their lives and aspirations.
