Survey shows 96% of GP graduates working in general practice on graduation

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PRESS RELEASE

• Survey shows vast majority of GP recent graduates planning to stay in Ireland, with 96% working in general practice on qualification.
• Big expansion in GP training numbers to address GP shortages.

The survey of the career intentions of graduates of the 4-year General Practice training programme, carried out by the Irish College of General Practitioners in mid 2023, showed that over two thirds (78.4%) of recent graduates saw their future career in Ireland.

The survey is published as the College of General Practitioners has offered the highest ever number of training places to applicants to start in July of this year. 350 places will be filled in a bid to address the shortage of GPs especially in rural areas, a 22% increase on last year.

In 2023, the ICGP surveyed the career intentions of GPs who'd graduated between 2017 and 2022, giving a comprehensive picture of the future career intentions of GP graduates.

The recently published survey indicates that those considering emigration is low. Just 3 % said they definitely planned to move abroad, and 7% were undecided. Virtually none of those surveyed had emigrated – 96% were working in general practice here.

The ICGP's Director of GP Training, Dr Cathy Cullen said "This survey shows us the growing demand for GPs, the improved financial environment for general practice and the variety of career options has made general practice a very attractive career for graduates. This is also illustrated in the high numbers who have applied for GP training places last October, over 1300 applications were received."

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the professional body for general practice in Ireland. The ICGP is the representative organisation for education, training and standards in general practice with 4,200 members, and 1,044 trainees in supervised practice. It is responsible for training GPs on a four-year National Training programme.

The Medical Director of the ICGP, Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, said: "This survey is good news for patients and for general practice in Ireland. The ICGP is working closely with the Minister, Department of Health, and the HSE, to address the acute shortage of GPs, with a 22% increase in training places in 2024 alone. We have also recruited over 100 International Medical Graduates who have qualified as GPs in their home country), to work in small rural-based practices, on a 2-year supervised education programme, and we plan to expand those numbers this year."

ENDS

ISSUED BY: Aileen O'Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of General Practitioners. Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830

Email: media@icgp.ie

www.icgp.ie www.icgpnews.ie