Abstract:
GPs form an integral part of Irish primary care provision. However, current information concerning general practice structure, staffing and development in Ireland is quite limited. This report provides a profile of General Practice in Ireland in 2010 drawing on a national
survey of practices using a standardised questionnaire. On average, there are 2.7 GPs per practice, although one in four practices remains single-handed. The majority of practices employ nursing 485(80.7%) and clerical 549(91.3%) support. A high proportion of practices have the following items of equipment: ECG machine 496(82.5%), 24 hour blood pressure monitor 481(80.1%), spirometer 383(63.8%), cryotherapy equipment 505(84%), minor surgery equipment 453(74.3%) and foetal monitor 484(80.5%). Using chi square analysis, we find statistically significant positive relationships between nursing support and possession of each of the six items of medical equipment (X2 = 81.57, p<0.01; X2 = 105.4, p<0.01; X2 = 38.5, p<0.01; X2 = 16.6, p<0.01; X2 = 39.5, p<0.01; X2 = 19.5, p<0.01)and between practice size and possession of each item of medical equipment (X2 = 26.3, p<0.01; X2 = 45, p<0.01; X2 = 16.5, p<0.01; X2 = 44.4, p<0.01; X2 = 13.8, p<0.01; X2 = 14.7, p<0.01).
