Why Veterans Need A Veteran GP

Veterans are more likely to experience complex, chronic disease, come from a culture that encourages pushing through discomfort, and must navigate a complicated medical system. Veterans are not like other patients, so it makes sense that their GP should not be a standard family General Practitioner.

What is a Veteran GP?

A Veteran GP, or service-aware GP is a General Practitioner who is well-versed or specialises in providing Veteran-specific healthcare. A Veteran GP is experienced in providing healthcare to current and ex-serving men and women, and has a professional understanding of the DVA Health scheme, and how it works alongside Medicare. They also have an understanding of the DVA Claim process, including the reports and assessments required to provide DVA with a clear picture of a Veteran’s health status.

Veteran GPs have specialisms or special interests in the conditions commonly experienced by Veterans, such as mental health, chronic pain, and other chronic diseases. They are also active in the Veteran healthcare community, with an in-depth knowledge of the culture within the Australia Defence Force, and the realities of service life.

How to Find A Veteran GP In Australia

Unlike the United States, Australia does not have a system of Federal-funded, dedicated Veteran hospitals or medical clinics. In Australia, Veterans access both Medicare and DVA medical care through their preferred GP.

Australia has a small number of dedicated Veteran healthcare providers, including Total Veteran Healthcare. Total Veteran Healthcare provides Veteran health services to all Veterans, from DVA Claim to treatment, long after life after service has begun.

Many Veterans find themselves patients of local GPs who may be wonderful family doctors, but lacking in meaningful knowledge of Veteran healthcare – DVA health systems, the resources available through various schemes and ESOs, emerging therapies, and leading specialists in health conditions commonly experienced by Veterans.

The Benefits Of Service-Aware, Veteran GPs

Your GP should have a good understanding of your experiences, your service history, varying treatments available including escalation treatments, and the Medicare system and the DVA health scheme.

Service-aware, Veteran GPs are best placed to provide comprehensive, informed care, because:

They Know The DVA System and Other Resources Available

All GPs have to navigate the Medicare system – Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. To support Veteran patients, your GP has to navigate Medicare and the Australian Government DVA Health scheme. The DVA Health scheme provides various funded health services through multiple channels and resources. The majority of these resources are only accessible to Veterans who have completed their DVA Claim and been given a White or Gold Card, with only limited services for mental health care and specified medical conditions available for Veterans at any stage of claim processing.

Not all standard GPs understand this complex system, or know about the resources available to Veterans – which vary depending on medical condition, seriousness of condition, and stage of DVA Claim.

They Know How Important DVA Assessments Are

The DVA Claims process requires multiple reports from doctors and specialists, including psychologists, and can involve lengthy processing times. A GP who specialises in veteran healthcare knows the DVA Claims process can be incredibly stressful, and emotionally draining for Veterans and their families. Long wait times for GP and specialist appointments can be made even longer if wait times to receive DVA assessments and reports blow out, which can add further delays to your claim processing.

Our Veteran GPs understand the importance of diagnostics and assessments to your DVA Claim process. This is why we aim to provide well-prepared assessments in a timely manner.

They Are Aware of Treatment Options

New treatments for chronic, treatment-resistant, and mental health conditions are continually emerging. GPs who specialise in Veteran healthcare are aware of advances in treatments and therapies that may not be general knowledge in the wider General Practice community. It’s important your GP is an active member of the Veteran healthcare ecosystem to remain up-to-date with new therapies, so they can provide the best health outcomes for your needs.

Total Veteran Healthcare GPs are passionate about Veteran health and committed to updating their skills and knowledge. They liaise with industry leading specialists within Total Veteran Healthcare, and across our greater Australia-wide network, so they can offer emerging and innovative therapies that offer clinically proven, measurable outcomes to our Veteran patients.

Escalation Options

A robust treatment plan includes escalation options. Escalation options are next steps treatments for patients who do not respond to first-line therapies. These treatments can be innovative and emerging therapies – including clinical trials, and are often valuable treatment options for patients who have exhausted more traditional therapies.

They Provide Continuity of Care

Veterans experience complex chronic diseases and conditions at higher rates than the general population. These conditions are often addressed with comprehensive, bespoke treatment plans that include multiple clinical referrals across Specialist and Allied healthcare, including referrals to leading inpatient and outpatient facilities.

For patients on treatment plans involving more than one doctor, like Coordinated Veteran Care plans, having a regular GP provides an important point of contact, and a familiar face. They coordinate overall care and manage multiple referrals, provide support and advocate for their patient’s ongoing healthcare.

At Total Veteran Healthcare, your GP is a consistent point of contact throughout your care. This enables you and your GP to develop a relationship, and gives them a better understanding of your needs. They gain an understanding of your unique personal experience, your family and living situation, and your emotional wellbeing.

They Get Military Culture

Time spent in the Australian Defence Force – over a long career or a short one, has lasting impact – both positive and negative. Veteran GPs understand that for a meaningful period of time, you may have put your personal healthcare on the back burner, maybe for years. They also understand the Code of Silence culture prominent within the ADF, which can make even discussing health concerns, particularly chronic pain and mental health conditions, a challenge in itself.

Veteran GPs understand that for Veterans, seeking healthcare can feel like failure after so long spent in an environment that prides itself on resilience and a person’s ability to endure discomfort.

A GP who understands the culture you have come from, and possesses in-depth knowledge of the common conditions Veteran’s experience, makes them invaluable long after transition from active service.

Does Your GP Understand Veteran Healthcare?

Every Veteran deserves a GP who understands their service history, medical needs, and the unique veteran healthcare landscape.

The GPs at Total Veteran Healthcare have a background in providing bespoke, targeted healthcare for Australia’s Veterans. We specialise in Veteran GP services, providing comprehensive, bespoke treatment, as well as support to DVA Claims processes, so we can provide better health outcomes for Australia’s Veterans.

Does your GP specialise in Veteran healthcare? If not, talk to your current GP about a Total Veteran Healthcare referral, or get in touch.