Male doctors receive bulk of criticism
The council’s report is the first ever comprehensive review of complaints it has received and looks at around 2,000 complaints over a five- year period.
The council maintains the register of doctors who are legally entitled to work in Ireland. It also sets and monitors standards for education and training and responds to concerns about doctors.
The study found there was a 46% increase in complaints received in 2012 compared to 2008, while a total of 325 doctors were the subject of more than one complaint in this period.
Some 86% of the almost 2,000 complaints received in the five-year period came from members of the public.
As well as being twice as likely to be the subject of a complaint compared to their female counterparts, the study also found that complaints against male doctors were also more likely to proceed to a fitness to practice inquiry.
Of 221 complaints which proceeded to inquiry by the fitness to practice committee between 2008 and 2012, 68% resulted in findings being made in relation to doctors’ practice. Sanctions were applied in all cases by the Irish Medical Council.
Complaints from the HSE and other healthcare organisations were more likely to proceed to a fitness to practice inquiry and were also more likely to result in a finding about the doctor’s practice. However, just 3% of complaints made to the medical council were from the HSE and other healthcare organisations.
The study found that doctors who qualified in Ireland were less likely than internationally qualified doctors to experience a “higher impact outcome” (ie, being put forward for a fitness to practice inquiry).
Areas of medical practices such as psychiatry, cosmetic surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and locum/out-of-hours were found to be the most complaint prone.
Some of the issues that arose most frequently in complaints included poor communication with patients, a lack of compassion and empathy, not treating patients with dignity and respect, and not relating effectively with patients’ families.
Commenting on the findings, president of the council Prof Freddie Wood said he hoped the study would help reduce complaints into the future.
“This comprehensive and in-depth review is the first of its kind in Ireland and is a really significant report both for the council and the wider health system.
“I hope that by reflecting on the findings and looking at the most common causes of complaint, we can work with our partner organisations to reduce such instances in the future, and improve the collective response to concerns about doctors’ practice for the benefit of both members of the public and doctors,” he said.
The council also published its draft guide for professional conduct and ethics which has been reformulated and specifically informed by the issues highlighted in the report.
“We look forward to receiving feedback from partner organisations, doctors and members of the public on this draft guide before its finalisation. It is crucial that we work with the wider health sector to collectively learn from complaints so that they are handled at the right level and dealt with in the most appropriate manner,” said Prof Wood.
