Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working Life

Following internship, many doctors undertake postgraduate training with a view to becoming specialists in areas of medical practice which appeal to them.

Gastroenterologists study diseases involving the digestive tract, liver and pancreas, which include chronic inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions involving the liver and pancreas, functional bowel disorders, coeliac disease, dysmotility disorders, GastroIntestinal (GI) cancers and many more.

As well as the theory behind GI disease, Gastroenterologists perform procedures ranging from basic diagnostic endoscopies including gastroscopies and colonoscopies to both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including Enodscopic ultrasound, ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatopgraphy), double balloon enteroscopy and more advance interventional luminal endoscopy.

Within the specialty of Gastroenterology there are several sub-specialisations e.g. Hepatology (viral Hepatology, transplant Hepatology), luminal Gastroenterology, functional disease, interventional endoscopy and pancreaticobiliary medicine with significant opportunity for research.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Analyse records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
• Treat internal disorders, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or problems of the lung, brain, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract.
• Prescribe or administer medication, therapy, and other specialised medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
• Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influensa or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
• Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
• Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
• Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Make diagnoses when different illnesses occur together or in situations where the diagnosis may be obscure.
• Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
• Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

To become a Gastroenterologist, you must first qualify as a medical Doctor by taking a six-year degree programme in Medicine.

There are six medical schools in Ireland: Trinity College Dublin Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University College Dublin (UCD) National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway University of Limerick (Graduate entry only) University College Cork (UCC).

The four steps in the training pathway to become a specialist in Gastroenterology are as follows:

Step 1 – Medical School

Step 2 – Intern Year

Step 3 – Basic Specialty Training in Medicine

Step 4 – Higher Specialty Training in Gastroenterology.

Following basic specialty training doctors may choose to continue training at higher specialist training level. Doctors must decide the specialty they wish to pursue, specialty of Gastroenterology.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Gastroenterology must have completed a minimum of two years Basic Specialist Training.

The Higher Specialist Training Programme in Gastroenterology is run by the ICHMT, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €62k - €160k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Salary Expert/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Medical practitioners.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

The annual average employment growth over the five-year period was above average for medical practitioners, with almost 6,000 additional persons employed since 2019. The gender split was broadly in line with the national average, whereas, at 33%, the share of non-Irish citizens employed was above average.

Almost 1,700 new employment permits were issued for roles including senior house officers, registrars, GPs and in emergency medicine.

Mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey were for those in psychiatric and emergency medicine and GPs. The share of OJAs for medical practitioners (as a share of all healthcare related OJAs) increased from 11% to nearly a fifth between 2023 and 2024. Issues with sourcing GPs has been particularly highlighted. There has been an increase in the annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme, with 350 new training places made available in 2024. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the number of GPs through both international recruitment and increasing the number of training places. 

Our population growth and ageing population will lead to increased demand for medical practitioners across services and shortages are expected to persist.  

Skills shortage:

Medical practitioners

• Royal College of Physicians of Ireland

  • Frederick House, 19 South Federick Street Dublin 2
  • (01) 8639700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Medical Council

  • Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin, 2
  • (01) 498 3100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• IICMP Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiology

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here