Shared consultant physician posts.
Our aim was to assess the acceptability and cost-efficiency of shared consultancy posts. Two consultant physicians worked alternate fortnights for a period of twelve months. Questionnaires were distributed to general practitioners, nurses, consultants and junior doctors affected by the arrangement. Patients or their next of kin were contacted by telephone. 1/17 of consultants described the experience as negative. 14/19 junior doctors reported a positive experience. 11 felt that training had been improved while 2 felt that it had been adversely affected. 17/17 GPs were satisfied with the arrangement. 1/86 nurses surveyed reported a negative experience. 1/48 patients were unhappy with the arrangement. An extra 2.2 (p<0.001) patients were seen per clinic. Length of stay was shortened by 2.49 days (p<0.001). A saving of 69,212 was made due to decreased locum requirements. We present data suggesting structured shared consultancy posts can be broadly acceptable and cost efficient in Ireland.
Cooke
J
J
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick. johncooke_cork@yahoo.com
Molefe
C
C
Carew
S
S
Finucane
P
P
Clinch
D
D
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009726:Nurses / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors