Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 5

Written Answers. - Medical Survey.

Ivor Callely

Question:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent survey by the Irish Medical Times on the increasing incidence of stress among Irish GPs; the action required to combat such stress; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to a random telephone survey by the Irish Medical Times in which it contacted a number of general practitioners on the question of stress in general practice. Particular care is required in extrapolating from observations obtained in this manner and on this issue which clearly are not intended as a scientific study which follows generally accepted Protocols and methodologies.

The practice of medicine carries with it a degree of stress which must be recognised and effectively managed by medical professionals, including general practitioners. The effective control and management of stress is multifaceted and involves personal factors, education and training, organisational, and environmental influences.

The continuing education of practitioners which ensures that they are fully up to date in current trends and practices in medicine and skilled in meeting professional demands represents an important resource for practitioners. I recently approved additional funding for the continuing medical education of doctors to ensure that a complete network of educational structures was in place and operating nationally.

Under the current agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation a development fund for general practice was established which provides a number of important developments in general practice including: £4.5 million to be invested in additional allowances for the provision of realistic rostering and out-of-hours arrangements; £3 million towards practice developments; £1.5 million in addition to existing payments towards the employment of practice secretaries and/or practice nurses.

Such targeted investment improves the support available to practitioners.

In terms of organisation of general practice, my Department's blueprint document onThe Future of General Practice in Ireland clearly identifies the fragmentation and isolation of general practitioners as a major difficulty in the effective organisation of general practice. The document sets out proposals for the development of group practices and multi-centred practices to provide support for individual practitioners in the delivery of patient care. The establishment recently of General Practice Units at health board level is intended to assist the integration of general practitioners into the delivery of primary care services generally and thereby reduce the isolation of general practitioners. The general practitioners employed within health board units are an important support structure for practitioners generally in terms of improving general practice and dealing with service issues of concern to individual practitioners.