Document Type

Report

Publication Date

12-2006

Keywords

Complaints, Doctors, Ireland

Comments

This report is available to download from http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/_fileupload/news/ftp_researchreport.pdf

Abstract

This study has quantified the number of complaints made about doctors to hospitals in Ireland over a five year period. Complaints about doctors represented a minority of overall complaints to hospitals. They predominantly concerned clinical care and communication issues. There were few patient complaints about unprofessional behaviour. Hospitals rarely referred complaints to the Irish Medical Council. Thus current practice differs significantly from that envisaged in the new legislative framework. There is a need to promote transparent, efficient and effective regulation through a standardised inter-agency approach.

Disciplines

Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Psychology

Citation

McCarthy S, McGee H, O'Boyle C. Managing Complaints about Doctors: Stakeholder Perspectices of the Role of the Medical Council in Ireland. Dublin: Medical Council; December, 2006. Conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.