Medical indemnity knowledge and awareness among international medical graduates in Ireland

Medical indemnity (MI) has become an important topic in the era of increasing number of medico-legal cases in Ireland. However, there is a sensible difference in understanding and usage of medical indemnity between Irish and international medical graduates.

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and awareness of medical indemnity among international medical graduates in Ireland.

This was a descriptive study with an anonymous online survey including 19 questions about various aspects of MI. Analysis of the data was done using Microsoft Excel statistical analysis pack.

One hundred eighty-six doctors participated in the study, 34 (18.2%) consultants, 74 (39.8%) registrars, 72 (38.7%) Senior House Officers (SHOs) and 6 (3.2%) General Practitioners (GPs). Their knowledge and insurance coverage were deficient before working in Ireland. The majority did not have any educational session about clinical indemnity insurance when starting work in Ireland. While most consultants (88.2%) had supplemental MI (SMI) at the time of the study, only 41.9% of registrars and 38.9% of SHOs had SMI. In addition, there was a difference between consultants and Non-consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) involvement in medico-legal cases. 32.2% of consultants were involved in medico-legal cases compared to 19% of registrars and 18% of SHOs.

There is a need to address clinical indemnity and supplemental clinical indemnity topics on induction days for international medical graduates working in Ireland, including clear information about professional protection arrangements with refresher meetings every six months especially during rotational placements.