More people putting off seeing health professionals due to cost

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Released
21/11/2023
Source
Patient Experiences, 2022-23 financial year

New analysis of patient experiences revealed 7.0 per cent of people who needed to see a General Practitioner (GP) in 2022-23 delayed or did not see one when needed due to cost, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Robert Long, ABS head of health statistics, said: “This was double the number compared to 2021-22, when 3.5 per cent of people put off or did not see a GP when they needed because of the cost."

“One in five people, or 19.3 per cent, said cost was a reason for delaying or not seeing a health professional for their mental health when needed. This rose from 16.7 per cent in 2021-22."

“In 2022-23, data showed that 10.5 per cent of people said cost was a reason for putting off or not seeing a medical specialist when needed, up from 8.0 per cent in 2021-22."

“People who said cost was a reason why they delayed visiting or didn't go to a hospital when needed rose from 1.8 per cent in 2021-22 to 3.2 per cent in 2022-23."

“There was also an increase in people who delayed or didn't get prescription medication when needed due to cost, from 5.6 per cent in 2021-22 to 7.6 per cent in 2022-23.”

“Generally speaking, younger people and those living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely to delay or not use certain health services when needed because of the cost,” Mr Long said. 

Delaying or not seeing a health professional for mental health when needed due to cost was more common for young people between 15 and 24 years compared with people 65 years and over (23.0 per cent compared to 8.6 per cent).

People living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely than people living in areas of least disadvantage to delay or not see a dental professional when needed due to cost (26.1 per cent compared to 11.1 per cent).

  1. 2016 Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage: A lower Index of Disadvantage quintile (e.g. the first quintile) indicates relatively greater disadvantage and a lack of advantage in general. A higher Index of Disadvantage (e.g. the fifth quintile) indicates a relative lack of disadvantage and greater advantage in general.
  2. Includes dentist, dental hygienist and dental specialists.

“The survey also found that 36.3 per cent of people could not see their preferred GP on at least one occasion, an increase from 32.8 per cent in 2021-22,” Mr Long said.

In 2022-23, 45.6 per cent of people who saw a GP for urgent medical care reported waiting for 24 hours or more, an increase from 39.1 per cent in 2021-22.

Other survey results revealed that people used fewer telehealth services in 2022-23, with 27.7 per cent of people having at least one telehealth consultation in the last 12 months, compared to 30.8 per cent in 2021-22.

Media notes

  • Mental health professionals include GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals (including mental health nurses, social workers, counsellors and occupational therapists).
  • Dental professionals include dentists, dental hygienists and dental specialists.
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
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