Working as a General Practitioner in Ireland - Qualifications

A question I get asked a lot is, "What exactly is a General Practitioner in Ireland?", as people tend to get mixed up between general practitioners and general medicine. To make it easy, we've outlined the role of a GP in Ireland below!

Outside of Ireland after you achieve your initial qualification or MBBS you are normally referred to a ‘General Practitioner or General Medicine’. However in Ireland working as a General Practitioner is actually someone who has furthered their study to specialise as a family doctor.

General Practitioners in Ireland are:

• Primary Care Powerhouses: GPs are the backbone of our local clinics, serving as the first point of contact for medical attention. They provide essential healthcare services right in our communities.
• Expert Chronic Illness Management: GPs specialise in treating and managing chronic illnesses. They are your trusted partners in addressing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and more, ensuring comprehensive and ongoing care.

• Preventive Care Advocates: GPs are strong advocates for prevention. They focus on regular check-ups, health screenings, vaccinations, and health education, empowering patients to proactively manage their well-being.
• Collaboration and Coordination: GPs work hand-in-hand with specialists to provide coordinated care. They facilitate referrals and ensure seamless transitions between primary and secondary healthcare services, putting patients at the centre of their healthcare journey.
• Community Engagement: GPs actively engage with local communities, supporting health campaigns and educational initiatives. They work alongside other healthcare professionals and community organisations to improve overall healthcare outcomes.

In order to work as a General Practitioner in Ireland, candidates from other countries must have completed a specialisation in family medicine, an internship or vocational training. Which can be very disheartening to some candidates after applying. However the government and the Irish College of General Practitioners have introduced a training scheme to support Non-EU candidates and help support the urgent need of GP’s in Ireland currently.

To learn more about working as a GP with Clarity, please get in touch below.

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