ON THE COUCH:Graham Fry is medical director of the Tropical Medical Bureau
Family/personal:Married to Sylvia with four children, Susan, Debbie, Peter and Laura.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
From an Irish perspective, Mary Robinson, Angus and Jack Finucane (Concern) and John O'Shea (Goal).
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland's health system?
An over-emphasis on hospital- based medicine at the expense of the grossly underfunded community and general practice services. We practice very defensive medicine and the delays in A&E are largely due to the fact that we are more concerned on testing our patients for every possible diagnosis, rather than using clinical common sense. Also, we trust laboratory results rather than clinical skill.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
If possible, many of the Bible characters. Imagine being able to ask Noah why on earth he did not squash those mosquitoes?
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Knowing contentment in my situation and a certainty about the future.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Consistency, caring and compassion.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
I am not too great on eating enough fruit and vegetables. Not spending enough time with family is also an unhealthy habit of mine.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines?
Never.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I spend too much time and money on electronic gadgets.
How do you relax?
Closing my eyes and thanking God for the many blessings he has given me.
What talent would you most like to have?
Being able to tinkle on the piano would be rather cool.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family, friends and my faith.
What is your earliest memory?
Knowing medicine was the career for me when I attended my GP for a Salk Polio vaccine back in 1958 and seeing his wonderful weighing scales.
What other career might you have chosen?
Being a detective would be very similar to medicine, when faced with a patient's unusual and often chronic history.
What books or films have inspired you?
The Bible is top of my list. It has been a huge inspiration.
- in conversation with Fiona Tyrrell