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Policy of free GP care for children under 6 years: The impact on daytime and out-of-hours general practice

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  • McDonnell, Thérèse
  • Nicholson, Emma
  • Bury, Gerard
  • Collins, Claire
  • Conlon, Ciara
  • Denny, Kevin
  • O'Callaghan, Michael
  • McAuliffe, Eilish

Abstract

Ireland does not yet have a comprehensive system of universal access to primary care. In 2015, access to general practitioner (GP) care at no charge was introduced for the 70% of children aged under six who previously paid out-of-pocket fees. This study uses data from 16 practices and a regional out-of-hours (OOH) GP service to assess the impact of this policy on attendance.

Suggested Citation

  • McDonnell, Thérèse & Nicholson, Emma & Bury, Gerard & Collins, Claire & Conlon, Ciara & Denny, Kevin & O'Callaghan, Michael & McAuliffe, Eilish, 2022. "Policy of free GP care for children under 6 years: The impact on daytime and out-of-hours general practice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:296:y:2022:i:c:s0277953622000983
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Connolly, Sheelah & Keegan, Conor & O'Malley, Seamus & Regan, Mark, 2022. "Extending eligibility for general practitioner care in Ireland: cost implications," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS156.
    2. McDonnell, Thérèse & Nicholson, Emma & Bury, Gerard & Collins, Claire & Conlon, Ciara & De Brún, Aoife & Doherty, Edel & McAuliffe, Eilish, 2023. "The role of contextual factors in decision-making by General Practitioners on paediatric referral to the Emergency Department in Ireland: A Discrete Choice Experiment," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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