For most people, general practitioners (GPs) are their first point of contact with the Health Service Executive (HSE). GPs diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions that can have physical, emotional or social causes. They talk to patients and examine them in order to diagnose their condition. They may prescribe medicine or treatment, perform minor surgery, or advise patients on health issues. They also decide whether a patient needs to be referred to other healthcare professionals for further investigations or treatment.
GPs also promote healthy lifestyles and the prevention of illness. This can include conducting programmes of health screening and flu vaccinations. They may also run specialist clinics for patients with specific conditions, such as diabetes.
GPs’ working hours vary and may include some weekday, evening and Saturday morning work. Some GPs provide out-of-hours cover. Part-time work and flexible working are increasingly common. GPs work indoors in doctors’ surgeries, but also travel locally to visit patients at home and to attend meetings.
GPs in specialty training earn between €32,000 and €45,000 a year. Salaried GPs earn between €55,000 and €80,000 a year. Self-employed GPs generally earn between €80,000 and €120,000.
A GP should:
- have excellent communication skills
- be able to work under pressure and make decisions
- be interested in science, healthcare and the well-being of patients.
Some run their own practices (usually in partnership with other doctors). Others are salaried or work as locums (temporary staff covering holidays and sickness). GPs may work in a variety of settings, from rural practices to inner city practices. There is a shortage of GPs in some rural areas.
To become a GP, it is first necessary to study for a degree in medicine and qualify as a doctor. Medical degrees normally take five years, although there are some four-year and six-year courses.
When doctors have completed their medical degree they undertake a two-year foundation programme of general training. Towards the end of the programme they decide whether to train as a GP or in one of the hospital-based specialties.
Specialty training for general practice takes four years. It usually involves placements lasting at least 24 months in a hospital setting and the third and fourt year in supervised general practice. Completion of this training leads to entry to the GP register.
Useful Links:
Irish College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland