The financial cost to patients of visiting a GP in Ireland: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Future general practice funding is much debated but public opinion has not previously been reported.

Objective: To survey public opinion on existing fee structures in general practice and on an insurance-based primary care scheme that would entitle members to free GP services at the point of use, upon payment of an annual premium.

Methods: An interviewer administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey in four locations: Dublin north city; Dublin south city; Dublin suburban; and a rural town centre.

Results: Of 384 people surveyed, 83% had visited a GP in the previous year, and 79% usually paid for consultations. The median fee was IEP20.00. Almost 50% felt that this was excessive. Of those who did not have to pay, 91% expressed willingness to pay (median IEP15.00). Sixty-two per cent had medical insurance and 83% said they would be willing to join an insurance-based primary care scheme. The amount people would pay to join this scheme exceeded what interviewees were currently paying for general practice services.

Conclusions: There is dissatisfaction with existing GP fees and support for a scheme entitling free primary care. The amount of money people are willing to pay exceeds their current annual expenditure on GP services.