ONE in five general practitioners in the State have been threatened with physical attack in the past year, a study of attitudes among GPs has shown. The study, carried out by the Department of Community Health and General Practice in Trinity College Dublin, revealed that almost half of doctors in urban areas have constant fears for their safety.
The stress and morale study covered more than 700 GPs and has prompted the setting up of a helpline for doctors under stress.
Dr Tom O'Dowd, Professor of General Practice at TCD, said the results showed that GPs needed back up and support to cope with a changing work environment.
This report, the first of its kind, showed that over six per cent of those questioned had been attacked in the previous 12 months. Fears over safety meant GPs were restricting their level of service to patients, he said.
Despite the worries over violence, morale among GPs is generally good. However stress levels are high one in three believe themselves to be highly or very highly stressed.
Some of the main reasons for this include having to deal with patients, working long hours and increasing workload.
"Half of the doctors surveyed are alone in their practice working single handedly. Over 100 doctors questioned had been on a one on one rota for the previous three months, working seven days a week. It is soul destroying and is a particular problem for doctors in rural areas," said Dr O'Dowd.
Patients are now expecting more from their doctor. According to Dr O'Dowd, GPs appear to be replacing priests in the area of pastoral care, and patients expect advice on non medical problems.
Doctors also end up "taking the rap" for problems in other areas.
He was surprised to discover that over a tenth of doctors have had a complaint against them - either directly, to the health board or to the Medical Council. However fear of litigation is low, despite almost a fifth having an action taking against them at some time in their career.
The findings were published in the Irish Medical Times.
Almost 85 per cent of doctors filled in this detailed survey, he said, answering over 50 questions. The completed study will now be forwarded to the Irish College of General Practitioners.
The authors - Dr O'Dowd, Mr Hamish Sinclair, health economist, TCD, and Ms Mary Mc Sweeney, research fellow, TCD - hope that support services, such as the proposed helpline to be set up in association with St John of God Hospital in the next few months, will be put in place.
"Of the sample, 75 were GMS doctors in rural areas. Only 10 of those were female GPs. This is an important point when you consider the provision of service for women in rural Ireland who would like to go and see a female doctor," said Dr O'Dowd.