Disputes in the Irish college, Douai (1594–1614)

By the late sixteenth century, Irish demand for seminary places was sufficient to warrant the establishment of a dedicated Irish college in Lisbon (1590). This was followed by foundations in Salamanca (1592), Douai (1594) and elsewhere. The great majority were administered by the Society of Jesus, whose Irish members were generally Old English, a term denoting descendants of the twelfth-century Anglo-Norman settlers. Old English Jesuit domination of Irish colleges occasioned accusations of discrimination against students of Gaelic family backgrounds, with the students seeking redress from the secular authorities. The Irish college in Douai was not formally administered by the Jesuits, but its founder, Christopher Cusack, collaborated closely with the Society. Accusations against him of anti-Gaelic bias emerged in the 1600s, coincidental with the arrival of large numbers of Gaelic Irish refugees in Flanders at the end of the Nine Years War (1594–1603). Ethnic tensions and financial difficulties all but put paid to the college in the 1620s.

Emotion Regulation Strategies and Stress in Irish College Students and Chinese International College Students in Ireland

Little is known about the association between emotion regulation strategies and perceived stress in college students, and in particular the strategies used by international students. Present research examined if differences exist in the use of emotion regulation strategies between Irish college students and Chinese international students, and investigated the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and perceived stress in these two student populations. Chinese students reported more frequent use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression compared to Irish students. There was a significant negative association between the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and levels of stress in both Irish and Chinese students. There was a significant positive relationship between the habitual use of expressive suppression and levels of stress in Irish college students, but not in Chinese students. The findings highlight the importance of cultural context when investigating the association between emotion regulation strategies and perceived stress in students.

How many general practice consultations occur in Ireland annually? Cross-sectional data from a survey of general practices

Background General practice plays a central role in the Irish health system. This study aimed to determine a baseline estimate of the number of consultations completed in general practice in Ireland annually to facilitate evidence-based healthcare planning. Methods A survey was emailed to all 3378 individual members of the Irish College of General Practitioners in February 2020 asking each practice to report on consultations by general practitioners and practice nurses occurring on the previous day of practice. Results A total of 507 practices responded to the survey, reporting 34,594 general practitioner consultations and 13,161 nurse consultations on one day. Extrapolating this figure nationally, we estimate 21,353,731 GP consultations and 7,749,615 practice nurse consultations occur in Ireland annually. An Irish person visits their GP an estimated 4.34 times a year and the average consultation time is 13.7 min. Conclusions This study shows that over 29.1 million consultations take place in Irish general practice every year. Innovative interventions to increase the capacity of general practice are needed to ensure high-quality care continues to be accessible in Ireland.

GPs’ practice and attitudes to initiating isotretinoin for acne vulgaris in Ireland: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in primary care

BackgroundIsotretinoin is prescribed in secondary care for severe acne vulgaris. Anecdotal reports suggest that GPs in Ireland currently initiate isotretinoin.AimTo ascertain the prevalence and management of isotretinoin in Irish general practice and to describe GPs’ attitudes about the use of isotretinoin in Ireland.Design and settingA cross-sectional questionnaire survey of GPs in Ireland between October 2018 and February 2019.MethodTwo short questionnaires were developed: one for GPs who prescribe isotretinoin and one for GPs who do not prescribe isotretinoin. Questionnaires were distributed via email and online via GP Forum to GPs in Ireland.ResultsOf a total 298 GPs who completed the questionnaire, 52 (17%) initiated isotretinoin. Older GPs (aged 35 years) and male GPs were more likely to prescribe isotretinoin. GPs cited prolonged dermatology waiting lists (n = 34, 65%) and a special interest in dermatology (n = 31, 60%) as two key drivers to initiating isotretinoin. However, this study found evidence of suboptimal blood monitoring, pregnancy testing, and contraceptive advice. Most GPs (n = 246, 83%) did not initiate isotretinoin and identified multiple barriers: medicolegal concerns (n = 150, 61%), being unaware that GPs may initiate isotretinoin (n = 135, 55%), and being unfamiliar with managing isotretinoin (n = 102, 41%). Important enablers to initiating isotretinoin cited by GPs include Irish College of General Practitioners guidelines (n = 118, 48%) and dermatologist support (n = 119, 48%). Two-thirds of the GPs questioned (n = 164, 67%) expressed an interest in initiating isotretinoin and most (n = 223, 91%) agreed that GPs can safely manage isotretinoin.ConclusionFew GPs in Ireland currently initiate treatment of acne with isotretinoin, and there is suboptimal adherence to recommended monitoring. Barriers to and enablers for GPs initiating isotretinoin were identified. Most GPs expressed an interest in initiating isotretinoin.