Majority of UL medical graduates opt for general practice

By KATHRYN HAYES

General practice medicine is the most popular choice for graduates of the UL Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS), with the majority of graduates staying in Ireland for further training.

Speaking at the official launch of the €15m school, Prof Michael Larvin, head of GEMS, said 21 graduates will start working in Irish hospitals next month.

“The majority of our graduates stay in Ireland for their further training. They are all guaranteed an intern post within Ireland and are committed really to working in this system and being a big part of the reformed health care system in Ireland.”

According to Prof Larvin it is quite clear that general practice medicine is a very important part of the forthcoming health reforms in this country “so the school is making a contribution indirectly through favouring of general practice by our graduates”.

“General practice is a popular choice for graduate entrants. They come in a little older, the training is a little bit shorter, and General Practice is an important part of this course. They spend 25% of their clinical training time in general practice,” he explained.

“We have seen an increasing number of our graduates entering the local hospitals over the past two or three years. 21 of them would be in turn starting in July this year.”

Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, officially launched the GEMS, which was established at the University of Limerick in 2007.

A 4,000 sq m facility, the building houses 12 problem-based learning teaching rooms, a 150-seat lecture theatre, two 60-seater seminar rooms, 75 IT work stations, eight clinical skills laboratories, two anatomical skills laboratories, an area dedicated to research and a cafeteria. The labs are equipped with an AV system, which allows students to record themselves performing procedural or physical exam skills.

Speaking at the launch Prof Niall O’Higgins, the chairman of the board of UL hospitals group, said you cannot be a good teacher of medicine unless you are up to date with developments in medical educations and research.

“The remarkable advances in medicine over a short time means that doctors who do not keep pace will be left behind. As Cyril Chantler states ‘Medicine used to be simple ineffective and relatively safe. Now it is complex, effective and potentially dangerous’, “ he added.

O’Higgins also said the influence of the university in the hospital supports the idea of access to learning and develops opportunities among all members of staff.

“In doing so it boosts morale and contributes to harmony. It facilitates better communiction and promotes institutional pride and self esteem, These factors probably also encourage the retention of staff, reduce the rate of absenteeism and are likely to make work more productive and enjoyable.”