Relationship between perceived workload and manpower in general practice

A survey of general practitioners in nine local government areas representative of metropolitan Sydney allowed comparison of self-perceived workload and manpower as measured by population per general practitioner. Thirty-one per cent of general practitioners felt themselves to be too busy, 54% just right and 15% not busy enough. The overall manpower level was a population of 1108 people per general practitioner. There was no direct relationship between workload perception and general practice manpower. The implications of this for manpower planning are discussed.