Reconfiguring a hospital towards general practice: the case of Peamount.
BACKGROUND
The decline in incidence of tuberculosis in Ireland has led Peamount Hospital to reconfigure its services towards the needs of general practice.


OBJECTIVE
To ascertain views of local GPs on their current use of Peamount, and how the hospital might best serve their future needs.


METHODS
Self-administered postal questionnaires sent to 151 GPs practicing in Peamount's catchment area, to determine their current use of services, and likely future use of proposed services. Total valid response rate 64% (n = 84).


RESULTS
Responses indicated a lack of awareness of many services currently available, with a concomitant under-use of these services. The majority of GPs would use planned future services, particularly expanded radiology services.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey promoted awareness among GPs of services available at Peamount. It informed the planning of future services and promoted a culture of involving local GPs in the planning of services of which they will be the users.
Ní Shúilleabháin
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Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences, AMNCH, Tallaght, Dublin, 24, Ireland. nishuia@tcd.ie
O'Dowd
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Handy
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Kelly
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D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires