[Psychiatric group supervision in general practice. A project evaluated by group focusing]

A group supervision project in psychiatry in general practice was established in 1992. The aims were to increase competence and interest in psychiatry and to contribute to a supervision model in psychiatry among general practitioners in a sparsely populated area. The group leader, who was a psychiatrist with competence in group analysis met with seven physicians for a three hour evening meeting once a month over a period of two years. The meetings were structured with a planned session at the beginning followed by a more open session. A focus group approach was used as the evaluation method. This method showed its usefulness in enabling the group to adjust its structure after an evaluation conducted after one year had passed and the conclusion at the end of the project period was: Group supervision can contribute to increased competence in psychiatry among general practitioners. It seems to increase the doctors' confidence and endurance in relation to psychiatric problems in family practice and provides an important opportunity to share difficult experiences with colleagues.