Ensuring Continuity of Care: A Look at Voluntary Patient Enrolment in Primary Care [part 2 of 2]

In this episode of the Medicubes podcast, Riwka Hagen and Kim Poyner join Tracy Johnson, Dr Tony Lembke, Simon Matthews from Practice Coach Australia for the second half of a discussion on voluntary patient enrolment (sometimes known as voluntary patient registration - VPR) in the primary care space.  

Jump back to the last episode of this show to hear the first part of this discussion.  

In this episode, we delve deeper into the complexities and challenges of implementing this model in the current healthcare system. We have a panel of experts with diverse perspectives and experiences, including GPs, psychologists, and healthcare administrators, who share their insights and concerns about the potential impact of VPE on patient care, physician burnout, and healthcare delivery.

Key Discussion Points:

• The concern that VPE may leave some patients behind, particularly those who are acutely unwell or have complex medical needs.
• The potential impact of VPE on physician burnout, given the high workloads and financial pressures facing primary care practices.
• The challenge of changing the current model of primary care, which is primarily based on independent practitioners working as micro-businesses.
• The potential barriers to implementing VPE, including resistance from independent practitioners who may not be willing to give up control over their patient-practitioner relationship.
• The need to rethink primary care delivery and create a new value proposition that is different from the current model.

Resources & Links:

• The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: https://www.aihw.gov.au/
• Cubiko: https://www.cubiko.com.au/
• The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust: https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/
• The Australasian Healthcare Homes Program: https://www.ahha.asn.au/healthcarehomes
• The Primary Care advisory: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-care/primary-care-advisory-committee-annual-report-2019-20/contents/about-the-primary-care-advisory-committee