Following a report into general practitioner and primary health services in outer metropolitan, rural, and regional communities, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have called for renewed investment to support GPs and patients.

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Following a three-day-tour of Tasmania, RACGP president Professor Karen Price said it was clear more support was needed.

"I have heard the same thing again and again - general practice care is in a precarious position," she said.

To address the issues, the RACGP released its election statement calling for increases to Medicare rebates for existing items as well as new rebates for longer consultations.

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Professor Price said a greater investment in general practice would improve patient outcomes, lower mortality rates and hospital admissions.

"The cost of a non-admitted emergency room presentation is estimated at more than $500 compared to a standard GP consultation at just over $39," she said.

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RACGP Tasmania chairman Dr Tim Jackson said the federal government could institute a host of other measures to boost general practice care in regional and rural areas.

"Australia's medical intern program is almost exclusively hospital-based with few interns experiencing a spell in general practice," he said.

"We need to boost experience in practices during medical school and those vital prevocational years, because only when interns get the opportunity to work alongside GPs and general practice teams will they see what an appealing career being a GP can prove to be."

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