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The Impact of Free GP Care on the Utilisation of GP Services in Ireland: An Evaluation of Different Approaches. ESRI Working Paper No. 534, June 2016

Gorecki, Paul K (2016) The Impact of Free GP Care on the Utilisation of GP Services in Ireland: An Evaluation of Different Approaches. ESRI Working Paper No. 534, June 2016. [Working Paper]

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    Abstract

    The successful implementation of free GP care for all private patients in Ireland requires an estimate of the likely change in the number of GP visits occasioned by this policy so as: (i) to set the capitation fee; and (ii) to ensure adequate supply of GPs is in place. The paper examines two methodologies to derive such estimates: retrospective patient self-reporting or recall (e.g. Growing Up in Ireland, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing); and, GP practice records. Estimates based on six GP practices by Behan (2013, 2014) substantial overestimate of the likely impact of free GP care. McGovern’s (2015) more recent estimates for the HSE, based on patient recall, used in forecasting future demand for GPs to 2025 also appear to be biased upward. The underlying studies, assumptions and papers are not, however, cited. This should be corrected. A proper debate and discussion can then take place concerning the optimal phasing in of free GP care.

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    Item Type: Working Paper
    Uncontrolled Keywords: GP visits; Medical Card, GP Visit Card; Free GP Care; under 6s.
    Subjects for non-EU documents: EU policies and themes > Policies & related activities > public health policy (including global activities)
    Countries > Ireland
    Subjects for EU documents: UNSPECIFIED
    EU Series and Periodicals: UNSPECIFIED
    EU Annual Reports: UNSPECIFIED
    Depositing User: Phil Wilkin
    Official EU Document: No
    Language: English
    Date Deposited: 22 May 2017 12:59
    Number of Pages: 51
    Last Modified: 22 May 2017 12:59
    URI: http://aei.pitt.edu/id/eprint/87243

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