Modern healthcare systems ask much of primary care doctors. They are expected to diagnose, reassure, coordinate care, manage chronic illness and increasingly fill the gaps when other parts of the system come under strain.
In New Zealand, general practitioners (GPs) deal with around 90% of all medical problems. Research consistently shows that strong relationships with a GP improve patient health outcomes while saving money, with every $1 invested in primary care returning up to $13 elsewhere in the health system.
