Recently my visions required some serious medical attentions which give me some motivation to understand how the medical system works in Australia.
In one of the process, the opinion of another type of specialist is required to identify the causes beside the ophthalmologist is am seeing in a public hospital. This require me to find a GP (I am new to the area) whom is going to refer to me to the specialist with my limited vision.
The GP wrote me a referral, named to a private practice. The cost is not affordable for me since I am currently unemployed.
After some research on the internet, I don’t seems to find the standard for referral, specifically:
- Among the available public and private specialist, what are the factors used as the basis to determine whom a GP should refer to?
- why can’t the GP, by default, refer to a public hospital? No one want to pay more after all.
- GP, by law, should not receive any incentive for whom to refer to. But, what is the mechanism to ensure the process is within the ethical and legal boundary? And how as a patient able to know at all?
TL;DR : I was almost blind; had to struggle a lot in the process. Motivated to learn more; ended up finding questions regarding referral.
p.s. I am able to see now but still recovering. For those who are concerned, if any.
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