Jorunn Thaulow

• Rosenlund, Anne-Mari Nissen; Thaulow, Jorunn; Kjellman, Kjell Erling; Jensen, Charlotte Myhre; Nordsletten, Lars & Jonsson, Kenneth [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Back in stride: patient perspectives on operative and nonoperative treatment and recovery after acute proximal hamstring avulsions – a qualitative study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 27(1). doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09632-0. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Patient-reported outcome measures indicate favorable results after both operative and nonoperative treatment of acute proximal hamstring avulsions. However, little is known about the patients´ experience with treatment and recovery. The aim of this study was to explore the patient perspective on proximal hamstring avulsions, spanning the trajectory from injury through treatment and rehabilitation to the final outcome. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in groups with participants treated either operatively or nonoperatively for a proximal hamstring avulsion. Participants in the “Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Clinical Trial”, a parallel randomized controlled trial and observational cohort, were invited to take part in this focus group study. One focus group included participants who experienced persistent disabling neurological symptoms. Interviews were conducted 22–50 months after injury. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Systemic Text Condensation. Results Eighteen participants from 30–70 years of age were divided into five focus groups. The inductive analysis led to the following five themes: Concern and uncertainty in the initial phase, Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment, Motivational factors, Physical and psychological sequelae, and “When things do not turn out as expected”. The latter theme was related to participants suffering persistent disabling neurological symptoms. Participants were overall satisfied with their treatment and motivated to return to pre-injury activities and mostly succeeded in doing so. However, most participants experienced lingering discomfort even years after injury. For those who suffered persistent disabling symptoms, quality of life remained significantly reduced. Experiences were similar across treatments, though surgical patients felt reassured everything had been done, while some nonsurgical patients wondered if surgery might have led to better results. Conclusion The findings of this study provide valuable insights for patient education and improving management strategies for proximal hamstring avulsions.

• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2025). Patients’ perspectives regarding antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative interview study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 43(3), p. 693–701. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2025.2498510. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The prescription rate for antibiotics for acute sinusitis in primary care remains high, despite evidence showing their limited effectiveness. GPs frequently encounter patient demands for antibiotics, which can influence their decision-making process. Aim This study aimed to explore the help-seeking and expectations of patients experiencing symptoms of acute sinusitis, with a particular focus on their desire for antibiotics. We sought to understand why patients seek their GP for sinusitis, what kind of treatment they hope to receive, and how they perceive their influence on the GP’s treatment decision. Methods We conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with patients who had consulted their GP for acute sinusitis from various regions across Norway. The qualitative analysis was performed using systematic text condensation. Results We developed 3 main themes:1. ‘Pain and exhaustion’- Patients primarily consulted their GP for acute sinusitis seeking medication to alleviate pain and accelerate recovery.2. ‘I trust the GP, but mainly myself’- While patients expressed trust in their GPs, they also had clear expectations of receiving the specific treatment they sought. 3. ‘Antibiotics works’- Most patients associated medication with antibiotics and believed they were effective against sinusitis. Conclusion Patients with sinusitis primarily visited their GP to seek relief from pain and to obtain medication that they believe could speed up recovery, which often meant antibiotics. These findings suggest a continuing need for measures targeting both doctors and patients to align treatment expectations, improve adherence to clinical guidelines, and adjust patient expectations. Better pain management of sinusitis should be emphasized.

• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2023). Decisions regarding antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative focus group study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2274328. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Acute sinusitis is a frequent reason for primary care visits. Most patients recover within two weeks without antibiotic treatment. Despite this, about 50% of patients with acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice are still prescribed antibiotics. We do not know the reason behind this discrepancy. Aim To explore the clinical decision-making process and reasons for treatment with antibiotics for acute sinusitis among Norwegian general practitioners (GPs). Methods Five focus group interviews were conducted (N = 25) in different parts of Norway, including GPs of various age, gender, and experience. The interviews were analysed using Systematic Text Condensation. Results The results showed a very diverse management of acute sinusitis among GPs, with decisions regarding antibiotics not always aligning with guideline recommendations. Many of the GPs did not agree with the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotics and chose something other than phenoxymethylpenicillin as their first choice. Clinical predictors emphasized in decision-making were pain complaints and patient exhaustion. Pragmatic factors such as weekday, travel plans, or a full waiting room could also influence the decision. Conclusion GPs found it difficult to identify when patients would benefit from antibiotic treatment for acute sinusitis, and different strategies were used to make prescribing decisions. For several GPs the degree of pain was one of the decisive reasons for antibiotic prescribing, however the guidelines for antibiotics do not give sufficient advice regarding pain treatment. These results suggest a need for revaluation of guideline contents and the way they are communicated to GPs. Key Points We know that antibiotics are often overused in the treatment of acute sinusitis, but there is lack of knowledge about the reasons behind GPs decision to prescribe them. There were considerable variations in clinical decision-making regarding the treatment of acute sinusitis among Norwegian GPs. The patients’ pain level, as well as pragmatic factors, were important deciding factors in the prescription of antibiotics. Guidelines for treatment regarding acute sinusitis may include more emphasis on pain management.

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• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2023). Decisions regarding antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis in Norwegian general practice. A qualitative focus group study. Full text in Research Archive
• Thaulow, Jorunn; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Høye, Sigurd & Skjeie, Holgeir (2022). Avgjørelser knyttet til bruk av antibiotika mot sinusitt i Norsk allmennpraksis. En kvalitativ fokusgruppe studie. Preliminære resultater. Full text in Research Archive
• Gunnes, Mari; Thaulow, Kristin; Sand, Kari; Ingvaldsen, Jon Espen; Kille, Benjamin Uwe & Høye, Sigurd [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). AIFAL-prosjekt: Allmennlegers perspektiv på muligheter og begrensninger ved bruk av KI på fastlegekontoret. SINTEF Digital. ISSN 9788214074208. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I prosjektet Allmennlegers perspektiv på muligheter og begrensninger ved bruk av AI på fastlegekontoret (AIFAL-prosjekt) har vi utforsket allmennlegenes perspektiv på bruk av kunstig intelligens (KI) og generative språkmodeller i allmennpraksis for å kunne bidra til utvikling av KI-løsninger som er relevante, nyttige og skreddersydde for norsk allmennpraksis. Data ble innsamlet på en heldags workshop med 11 allmennleger der vi bl.a. gjennomførte to fokusgruppeintervjuer. Allmennlegene som deltok i workshopen uttrykte både forventning og skepsis til bruk av KI-basert teknologi i sin arbeidshverdag. De har erfaring med eller ideer om hvordan KI kan effektivisere og øke kvaliteten på mange arbeidsoppgaver, og er samtidig opptatt av å bevare klinisk skjønn og pasientsikkerhet. De ønsker seg bekreftelser på og støtte for at teknologien er trygg å bruke i klinisk praksis.

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