Research from Tonic Media Network has backed new Medicare findings, showing Australians are still prioritising their health and wellbeing.
Findings from the recent Australian Government Services Australia – Medicare Statistics have found that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more aware of their health and wellbeing.
Following a dip in face-to-face GP visitation in April of nearly 20 per cent, numbers have remained consistent ever since.
An in-practice survey conducted by Tonic Media Network from April to August supports these findings, having revealed that moving forward from COVID-19, 78 per cent of respondents were taking more active roles in improving their health.
A further 64 per cent agreed visiting the GP regularly after COVID-19 would be important.
The survey also revealed mental health, vaccinations and Doxycycline are the most popular topics respondents discussed with their GP.
Tonic Media Network managing director Dr. Matthew Cullen said the latest data from Medicare makes clear that people are showing increased concern for their own health and wellbeing, particularly following this year’s global pandemic.
“Australians are still visiting their GPs and for our industry, that means that health out of home traffic remains high as health becomes more important than ever before,” Dr Cullen said.
Tonic Media Network’s commercial director, Sev Celik, added: “Mental health and wellbeing is the most popular and talked about topic between patients and their GPs according to our research”.
“This finding is borne out by the federal government’s pledge to devote $5.7 billion to mental wellbeing in the 2020-21 Budget,” he said.
“People aren’t sick in the doctors’ waiting rooms but are visiting for check ups, prescriptions and other preventive health measures.”
Featured image source: iStock/robynmac
