Complex issues in general practice - a prevalence study

The contract GP scheme in Norway has been a success, but the scheme's sustainability has been weakened. In summer 2017, the so-called Trønder rebellion arose among GPs who wished to analyse the situation. In order to obtain a better understanding of their total daily workload, all GPs in Norway were invited to record all their activity on a typical day in their practices. This included 22 pre-defined, currently relevant issues that form the basis of this article.

In 2018, all of Norway's 4 784 registered GPs received a web-based questionnaire survey. Altogether 1 032 doctors responded to the survey. The dataset elucidates more than 20 000 consultations throughout the country and more than 44 000 issues.

On average, the GPs carried out 20 consultations addressing 43 different issues on a typical day in their practices. There were small differences between men and women doctors. Multimorbidity was a factor in 29 % of the consultations, mental disorders in 22 % and stress and life strains in 18 %. The GPs felt that they had a key role in providing support or life coaching in 15 % of the consultations.

The study documents that complex and demanding issues are a frequent occurrence. The GPs play a key role in the treatment of multimorbid patients, prevention of disease and detection and follow-up of cancer. The study underscores the importance of broad-based knowledge and fundamental continuity in the doctor-patient relationship.