Attitudes to peer review as a competence assurance structure--results of a survey of Irish physicians.

backgroundThe Medical Council in Ireland is currently implementing Competence Assurance Structures (CAS). Peer review has been proposed as a tool to measure physician competence.

aimsTo assess the attitudes of physicians working in the Irish healthcare system to a peer review programme of competence assurance prior to its implementation.

methodsA postal survey was sent to all physicians in the Irish Medical Directory in November 2003. Nine questions were asked to gauge attitudes to peer review as a CA tool. The returned questionnaires were collated and data extracted based on responses.

resultsThe response rate was 67%. The majority of respondents (92%) felt peer review would inform competence assurance in Ireland. Most physicians who were surveyed felt an on-site assessment (88%) every 5 years (87%) was the preferred method. Over 30% responded that there should be a financial incentive for completing a review, and 70% would pay to be assessed. The UK model of competence assurance was the model most physicians preferred for the Irish setting (42%).

conclusionThe majority of physicians practising in Ireland would favour a peer review system of competence assurance. The financial implications, and structure, of such a system would need to be explored prior to implementation.