"Who cares?" A comment on the Australian general practitioner.

The recent Australian publication "Who cares?" offers the family medicine student and the family physician: Affirmation of the preminence of the GP as the professional of first resort for a wide range of Australian families. A typology of families in terms of the way they relate to health care and its providers. A picture of the experience of health care offered to some Australian families, and its relevance to their condition. A typology of GPs in terms of their willingness to extend their role to include the family's total 'welfare'. Criticism of the GP in failing to refer patients to existing community services. Implications for medical education in terms of development of the GP's communication skills in relation to both patients and other health and welfare professionals.