How GPs in Norway conceptualise functional ability: a focus group study

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Social medicine
• General practice

Background:

• Functional ability is a criterion for social benefits in Europe.
• GPs' conceptualization of functional ability is not well understood.
• This may influence social benefit claims.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how General Practitioners (GPs) conceptualize functioning and functional ability.
• To understand the relationship between conceptualization and sickness certification practices.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing focus group interviews.
• Four focus groups with 23 GPs in Eastern Norway.
• Data analyzed using systematic text condensation.

Main Results:

• GPs conceptualize functioning as physical, mental, and social ability, with physical ability emphasized.
• Assessing physical ability is generally straightforward, but mental ability assessment is more complex.
• Social ability relates to social problems impacting function; work capacity assessment is a two-step process.

Conclusions:

• GPs understand functioning within a biopsychosocial model.
• Implementing this concept into clinical practice and insurance legislation is challenging.