In Malta, two-thirds of primary healthcare is delivered
by private general practitioners (GPs), mostly working
single-handed without supporting staff. The combined
lack of patient registration and transferable medical
records lead to fragmentation of care, duplication
of resources and suboptimal disease prevention and
management. In 2009, the government proposed a reform
to encourage partnerships which was shelved. The aim of this article is to explore the opinions of GPs about how practice
organisation might influence them and their patients and to seek GPs’ views about possible healthcare reform
initiatives. A postal cross-sectional survey of all specialists in
family medicine resident in Malta. An instrument was
designed, piloted and validated. SPSS® (v. 20) was used
for analysis. One hundred and fifty (44%) questionnaires were
returned. Respondents were representative of the sample
as regards demographic and employment characteristics.
Only 26% of GPs are female, but most work in
partnerships or the public service. Seventy-seven per cent
of private GPs work single-handed. Group practitioners
are more likely to utilise electronic medical records and
appointments, and to employ secretaries.
Doctors acknowledge that although patients prefer
one GP, partnerships can deliver better patient care. GPs
believe that partnerships are beneficial for themselves,
and would consider joining one. Females and young
doctors favour partnerships. Respondents, particularly young doctors, favour
patient registration and reform. Public doctors who work
part-time privately oppose reform. Most GPs favour group practices and health reform,
especially females and young doctors (whose proportions
are increasing). Primary care should be urgently reformed
and patient registration introduced. Public-private
agreements would stimulate partnership formation.
Public group practices could cater for means-tested
citizens.peer-reviewe
