Limited options: a report on GP access to services.
BACKGROUND
The Structure of Irish General Practice over 23 years was the third in a series of national studies that examined the development of general practice in 1982, 1992, and 2005.


OBJECTIVE
This study analysed specific data from the 2005 survey to determine the types of services offered by GPs, and to examine the changes in access to diagnostic/treatment services from 1982 to 2005.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of Irish GPs seeking information on their practice.


RESULTS
476 (87%) valid questionnaires were returned. The range of services offered by GPs had increased. Access to diagnostic/treatment services was limited, and varied considerably depending on the type of practice. Access to chest X-rays and skeletal X-rays had decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Access to existing services must be increased, and significant resources must be put into the development of dedicated primary care services.
Ní Shúilleabháin
A
A
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences, AMNCH, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. nishuia@tcd.ie
O'Kelly
M
M
O'Kelly
F
F
O'Dowd
T
T
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires