Dr Prabani Wood: Better health starts with better data

After over 16 years as a GP, I can tell you what keeps me up at night. It is not the long hours or the difficult diagnoses. It is wondering how much of a difference the care I provide makes for my patients.

I know my patients well. I know their histories, their families, their struggles. But I cannot tell you with confidence how many patients I have prevented from attending the emergency department or being admitted to hospital. I am unsure how my referral patterns compare to those of my colleagues.

This is not just my problem. It is New Zealand’s problem.

Dr Prabani Wood: Better health through better data

This research note reveals how adding GP clinic data to government databases could transform healthcare outcomes while cutting costs.

The research note, “Better health through better data” by Adjunct Fellow Dr Prabani Wood, shows that while government can track hospital visits, prescriptions and even school attendance, it cannot see clearly what happens in GP clinics – where most healthcare occurs.

Dr Prabani Wood: Failing to get frontline healthcare right comes at a huge cost

The primary care package recently announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown tackles our GP shortage with overseas doctor placements, more GP trainees and digital healthcare. These welcome initiatives recognise the critical challenges facing general practitioners nationwide.

Dr Prabani Wood: Investing in primary care makes economic sense

Health Minister Brown's primary care package takes aim at the country's critical GP shortage. He is right to be concerned. The economic consequences of our failing primary care system are as alarming as the health impacts. 

Your local GP practice is highly efficient at diagnosing, treating and managing health conditions and also preventing illnesses from occurring before they require expensive specialist intervention. Research abroad shows every dollar invested in primary care can save up to $13 in healthcare expenditure.