Patients' views on out-of-hours care in general practice in Dublin

Background Little 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. Aims This 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. Methods Patients 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. Results Two 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. Conclusions The 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.