
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Comino, Elizabeth J 
A1  - Zwar, Nicholas A 
A1  - Hermiz, Oshana 
T1  - The Macarthur GP After-hours Service: a model of after-hours care for Australia
JF  - Australian Health Review
JO  - Aust. Health Review
Y1  - 2007
VL  - 31
IS  - 2
SP  - 223
EP  - 230
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/AH070223 
N2  - Introduction: The Macarthur GP After-hours Service (MGPAS) was established to streamline the provision of after-hours medical care in an outer-urban community. This paper reports on a process evaluation of the MGPAS. Methods: A mixed methods approach involving surveys, stakeholder interviews and analysis of administrative data was used. Results and discussion: This model of care was well accepted and regarded by general practitioners, Macarthur Health Service staff and the community. The MGPAS was found to be an acceptable and efficient model of after-hours medical care. Areas that required further review included the need for telephone triage, home visiting and improved communication and referral to the health service. The financial viability of the MGPAS depends on supplementary funding due to the constraints of the Medicare rebate, and limited opportunities to reduce costs or increase revenue. Further research, including an economic evaluation to identify opportunity costs of the service, is needed. 
ER  -

