Half of Australian general practitioners adopted an innovative approach in their practice over the past year, according to new Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) data, prompting calls for greater investment in digital infrastructure and safeguards for artificial intelligence.
Findings from the RACGP’s 2026 Health of the Nation survey show the proportion of GPs adopting innovation rose from 34 per cent in 2024 to 50 per cent this year.
The proportion who feel well informed about innovation in general practice also increased, from 13 per cent to 41 per cent.
RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said GPs were willing to embrace technology that improved patient care, but needed a greater role in shaping its implementation.
“General practice is the cornerstone of Australia’s healthcare system, and GPs have consistently shown they are willing to embrace innovation when it improves care for patients,” Wright said in a statement.
“We’ve seen rapid uptake of innovations including telehealth and e-prescribing in recent years, helping patients access care more conveniently and enabling practices to work more efficiently.
“GPs must play a central role in shaping how these technologies are integrated into healthcare, so innovations are safe, fit-for-purpose and focused on improving patient outcomes.”
AI is emerging as a key area of interest, with 39 per cent of GPs believing AI scribes and other AI tools can add value and improve efficiency. Among GPs in training, that figure rises to 68 per cent.
Wright said 74 per cent of GPs agreed digital tools had improved delivery of care over the past decade, while only 17 per cent considered the profession’s ability to navigate and use AI tools and technology an issue.
“However, many GPs remain cautious, and rightly so. New technologies must support high-quality, continuous patient care, protect privacy, and be implemented safely. Technology should assist GPs, not replace the trusted relationship between a patient and their family doctor,” he said.
The RACGP’s position statement on AI in primary care supports its potential benefits while calling for appropriate safeguards, regulation, and GP involvement in developing and implementing AI solutions.
Wright added that outdated systems and poor communication between providers continued to create unnecessary administrative work and frustration for patients.
In the 2026 survey, 53 per cent of GPs identified better communication and information sharing as an enabler of improved care coordination, while 29 per cent nominated shared records and interoperability.
“It’s time to seriously tackle longstanding inefficiencies. In 2026, hospitals and health services need to have modern secure messaging, so that GPs can communicate with them easily and we can finally get rid of faxes and outdated technology,” Wright said.
“We need interoperable digital systems that allow information to move securely and efficiently between healthcare providers.”
The RACGP is calling on the federal government to upgrade digital infrastructure, improve interoperability, and review regulations to support the safe integration of new technologies and innovative models of care.
“We also need a robust regulatory and oversight framework for artificial intelligence in healthcare. Consistent with the RACGP’s position statement on AI in primary care, lawmakers, regulators and professional bodies must keep pace with rapid technological change to ensure AI is implemented safely, effectively and appropriately in clinical settings, while still enabling innovation that benefits patients,” Wright said.
“With the right policy settings and investment, Australia can be a global leader in innovative, patient-centred primary care.”
You can read the full survey data here.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Cyber Daily a preferred news source on Google.
