• S Smith, J Lynch, K O'Doherty, and G Bury.
• Department of General Practice, University College Dublin, Rialto Medical Centre, Ireland. susan.smith@iol.ie
• Ir J Med Sci. 2001 Jul 1;170(3):192-4.

BackgroundLittle is known regarding patients' views and levels of satisfaction with out-of-hours care in Irish general practice despite significant recent changes in service delivery.AimsThis study aimed to record patients' experience of out-of-hours care on a specific occasion and elicit their satisfaction with out-of-hours care in general.MethodsPatients requesting out-of-hours care in three south inner city Dublin practices in June and July 2000 were identified and sent an anonymous postal questionnaire.ResultsTwo hundred and forty patients were identified and 58% responded to the questionnaire. The approximate call rate was 195 calls per 1,000 patients per year. Sixty-one per cent of patients used the co-operative service, 28% received a house call and 3% received telephone advice only; 86% are currently satisfied with out-of-hours care.ConclusionsThe majority of patients are satisfied with the current out-of-hours service. Telephone consultation rates are significantly lower than other countries. These findings need to be considered before the widespread introduction of systems involving increased telephone consultations.

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