Decline with a capital D: long-term changes in general practice consultation patterns across Australia

To determine changes in the pattern of use of standard general practice consultations, and the degree to which any changes are offset by the use of special Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items.

Population-based retrospective analysis of age- and sex-standardised Medicare claims data (1994-2009) on the utilisation of general practice standard consultations (Levels A, B, C and D) alone and in combination with health assessments and care plans and other special MBS items.

Utilisation rates of Level C and D (long) consultations increased consistently from 1994 to 2004, but by 2009 a considerable decline had occurred. A reverse of this pattern was observed for Level A (short) consultations. When utilisation rates for special items and long consultations were combined, the combined utilisation rate followed an upward trend until 2007, but also declined in 2008 and 2009.

The decline in the use of Level C and D consultations in recent years has been dramatic and accompanied by an increase in use of Level A consultations. While the use of special items has offset the decline in long consultations, this compensating effect has weakened in the past 2 years. This pattern is at odds with health policy objectives that rely on long consultations to provide preventive care and chronic disease management. Given the current situation, the recently introduced Medicare reforms (May 2010), including changes to Levels B, C and D consultation item descriptors, may not be sufficient to change consultation patterns.