Male doctors working in Ireland are twice as likely to have a complaint made against them as female doctors, a major new review has found.

Male doctors are also more likely to see complaints made against them proceed to a Fitness to Practise Inquiry.

The findings are contained in the first comprehensive review ever undertaken in relation to complaints made to the Medical Council, Ireland's regulatory body for doctors.

It maintains the register of doctors who are legally permitted to work in this country and also sets the standards for medical education and training. Anyone who wishes to make a complaint against a doctor must do so in writing to the council.

This major review, Listening to Complaints, Learning for Good Professional Practice, looks at around 2,000 complaints made over the five-year period, 2008-2012.

It noted that the number of complaints made in 2012 was 46% higher than in 2008, and during this period, 325 doctors were the subject of more than one complaint.

Overall, certain groups of doctors were more likely to be the subject of a complaint and these included male doctors, older doctors and doctors who qualified in Ireland.

When it came to ‘higher impact outcomes', i.e. being put forward for a Fitness to Practise Inquiry, male doctors, younger doctors and doctors who qualified outside of Ireland were more likely to face these.

The review revealed that 221 complaints made against doctors proceeded to Fitness to Practice Inquiries. Of these, 68% resulted in findings being made in relation to doctors' practice. Sanctions were applied by the Medical Council in all of these cases.

The review also revealed that 86% of complaints were made by members of the public, while just 3% came from the HSE or other healthcare organisations.

While concerns about medical skills and knowledge did feature in complaints, many related to what people viewed as poor attitudes and behaviours by doctors, including poor communication with patients, a lack of compassion and empathy, and failing to treat patients with dignity and respect.

"This comprehensive and in-depth review is the first of its kind in Ireland and is a really significant report both for the council and the wider health system. I hope that by reflecting on the findings and looking at the most common causes of complaint, we can work with our partner organisations to reduce such instances in the future, and improve the collective response to concerns about doctors' practice for the benefit of both members of the public and doctors," commented Medical Council president, Prof Freddie Wood.

Meanwhile the review also noted that doctors who are subject to one complaint are more likely to be the subject of a further complaint later on.

The review can be viewed here