Poll Finds Many GPs Want More Support to Deliver Disability Care
26 Jun 2026
A newsGP poll found that 60% of respondents were not at all comfortable managing disability care, while 31% felt somewhat comfortable and only 8% said they were very comfortable.
Adelaide GP Dr Maya Luks, a member of RACGP Specific Interests Disability, said the results reflect the challenges many GPs face when caring for patients with disability.
She said disability health receives very little attention during medical school, specialist training and GP Fellowship programs, leaving many doctors feeling unprepared.
Dr Luks said most disability education focuses on children, with limited training on caring for adults with disability, even though most people with disability spend the majority of their lives as adults.
She also said families often report that support services reduce once a person turns 18, leaving GPs to provide much of their ongoing care.
According to Dr Luks, caring for patients with disability has also become more complex because of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with GPs often required to complete paperwork despite having limited involvement in the system's design.
The RACGP already provides disability care resources, including curriculum content, Recognition of Extended Skills opportunities and educational webinars to support GPs.
Dr Luks is advocating for a more coordinated approach to disability education, including stronger training during GP education and regular continuing professional development for practising doctors.
The RACGP has also called for GPs to play a greater role in the NDIS, including contributing to patient care plans and supporting continuity of care.
Dr Luks warned that if disability services continue to face funding pressures, more patients are likely to turn to general practice, making it even more important that GPs receive the education and support needed to provide high-quality care.
Poll Finds Many GPs Want More Support to Deliver Disability Care
Source: newsGP