The general practitioner pharmacotherapy prescribing workforce: examining sustainability from a systems perspective

dc.contributor.authorHotham, E.
dc.contributor.authorRoche, A.
dc.contributor.authorSkinner, N.
dc.contributor.authorDollman, B.
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractAs prescribers of opioid pharmacotherapies, general practitioners ( GPs) are pivotal to the sustainability of opioid pharmacotherapy treatment services. The goal of this study was to examine the nature and sustainability of the Australian GP prescriber workforce in order to inform future programmes and policy development in this area. Data were collected from four Australian states: South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. Key features of the available data were: a heavy client load carried by a small number of prescribers, a high proportion of trained but inactive prescribers, and a high proportion ( one- third to two- thirds) of medical practitioners who undertake training but do not take up prescribing, i. e. a high attrition rate. Available data indicate significant shortfalls in the number of prescribers available in each state to service this patient population. Across all states a relatively small number of prescribers were providing services for the majority of methadone clients. In order to achieve sustainable, high quality prescriber service provision, workforce development strategies are needed which focus on recruitment of new prescribers, and the support and retention of existing and inactive prescribers. Establishment of systematic and detailed data collection systems should also be considered a priority.
dc.identifier.citationDrug and Alcohol Review, 2005; 24(5):393-400
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/09595230500286013
dc.identifier.issn0959-5236
dc.identifier.issn1465-3362
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1959.8/27230
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInforma Healthcare
dc.rightsCopyright 2005 Informa Healthcare
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/09595230500286013
dc.subjectgeneral practitioner workforce
dc.subjectmethadone
dc.subjecttraining
dc.subjectworkforce development
dc.titleThe general practitioner pharmacotherapy prescribing workforce: examining sustainability from a systems perspective
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished
ror.mmsid9915911912601831

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