[To what extent are Norwegian doctors familiar with their own support systems?]

The Norwegian Medical Association's (NMA) Coordinating Committee for doctors' health and social support wished to document to what extent Norwegian doctors are familiar with three existing support alternatives: 1) an assigned general practitioner for all colleagues who want this, "doctor-for-doctor", 2) three consultations with especially trained colleagues from the county branch of the NMA with no record-keeping or charge and 3) a free of charge consultation or week-long course for the doctor with or without spouse at a dedicated resort, Villa Sana, located at a private clinic approximately 100 km from Oslo.

Postal questionnaire to a representative sample of 998 active Norwegian doctors. The response rate was 76%.

Two thirds of the doctors were familiar with the local consultation possibilities and half of them knew about the Villa Sana concept. Older doctors and doctors living in the southern part of Norway were more familiar with these arrangements. Approximately 11% had used or were using the "doctor-for-doctor" arrangement, and 7 % had experience with the specially trained colleagues in the county branch of the NMA. Half of the respondents emphasised the importance of anonymity of such consultations; i.e. no record-keeping. Two thirds of the doctors found it necessary to have specific treatment systems for doctors, particularly with regard to addiction and mental health problems.

The results indicate that there is a greater need for the offers described than the current availability.