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In June 2012, 14% of the Australian population was aged 65 years and over. Population projections indicate this could rise to 22.4% by 2061, and the proportion aged 85 years and over may increase from 1.8% to 4.5% over the same period.1
In June 2014 there were 176,816 people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Australia, either permanently or for respite care. This number was an increase of 6.3% since 2010.2 In June 2014, the average age of residents was 84.5 years.2
General practitioners (GPs) provide medical care to those living in RACFs (RACF patients). GP services for RACF patients are included in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). An assessment of GP encounters with RACF patients using 2010-11 Medicare claims data reported an average of one 'RACF-based GP service' per RACF patient every 3 weeks.3 This study examined the problems managed and medications prescribed by GPs at encounters with RACF patients, to determine the extent to which they differ from those at GP encounters with similar patients.
Data were analysed from the Australian Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program between April 2011 and March 2014. Encounters with RACF patients were identified using item numbers from the MBS for GP attendances conducted in RACFs, or for RACF patients (eg case conferences for RACF patients). To account for the skewed distribution of older patients in RACFs, analyses of problems managed and medications prescribed were restricted to encounters...