General Practice Care in Residential Aged Care Homes: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

The growing population of older adults residing in Australian residential aged care homes (RACHs) is driving an increased demand for general practitioner (GP) involvement to meet their complex healthcare needs. This scoping review sought to synthesise the evidence on general practice care models implemented within RACHs over the past decade (2013–2023), assessing their structure, effectiveness and implications for Australia’s future healthcare strategies. Employing the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review Methodology, the review systematically searched for English-language studies from five major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, Scopus, and PsycINFO) and grey literature, focussing on preventive, management and acute care services for RACH residents aged ≥ 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged ≥ 50 within comparable healthcare contexts. Following screening, 10 studies were identified, with half conducted in Australia. Models primarily included government or provider-employed GPs and team-based approaches led by registered nurses or nurse practitioners. Despite structural variations, common elements across models were regular GP consultations, co-located services and multidisciplinary partnerships. Three studies reported differing impacts of general practice models on resident health outcomes; provider-based GPs generally reduced unplanned hospital and emergency visits, whereas nurse practitioner–led teams resulted in a slight increase. Both GP-led and team-based models reported broad adoption and acceptance, though cost-effectiveness varied. Despite identifying several promising models, the existing evidence is insufficient for a comprehensive evaluation of their long-term effects on patient health and the broader healthcare system. This underscores the urgent need for further research to develop effective, culturally sensitive and economically sustainable aged care practices, ensuring high-quality care for Australia’s rapidly ageing population.