Torunn Bjerve Eide

• Nessler, Katarzyna; Studzinski, Krzysztof; Klemenc-Ketiš, Zalika; Rogers, Heather L.; Eide, Torunn Bjerve & Blanco, Sara Ares [Show all 26 contributors for this article] (2026). The impact of professional characteristics and person-centred care on general practitioners' stress levels. Findings from the cross-sectional PACE GP/FP study in 24 European countries. European Journal of General Practice. ISSN 1381-4788. 32(1), p. 2652678–2652678. doi: 10.1080/13814788.2026.2652678. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Norman, Rebecka Maria; Bjertnæs, Øyvind Andresen; Ørstavik, Jon & Høye, Sigurd (2025). Small group learning for specialists in general practice – structure, importance and potential. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 145(11). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.25.0074. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bakgrunn Deltagelse i etterutdanningsgrupper (smågrupper) er en av flere obligatoriske aktiviteter for resertifisering av spesialiteten i allmennmedisin. Hensikten med studien var å øke kunnskap om gruppenes organisering, hvordan legene opplever deltagelsen og legenes holdninger til smågruppene som arena for kvalitetsforbedringstiltak. Materiale og metode Et digitalt spørreskjema med 28 åpne og lukkede spørsmål ble sendt til alle medlemmer i Norsk forening for allmennmedisin (N = 8 645) og alle smågruppesekretærer (N = 1 281) samt tilgjengeliggjort på Facebook-gruppen Allmennlegeinitiativet (> 5 000 medlemmer). Kvantitative resultater presenteres deskriptivt. Fritekstsvar ble analysert med tematisk analyse. Resultater De 555 respondentene hadde i gjennomsnitt vært med i smågruppen i 11,8 år (0–45 år). Blant disse svarte 508 personer (91,5 %) at de i stor eller svært stor grad var fornøyd med smågruppen. 306 (55,1 %) var helt enige i at det er lett å dele faglig usikkerhet i gruppen, og 489 (88,1 %) gledet seg alltid eller nesten alltid til møtene. Gruppens betydning for trygghet og støtte samt som en viktig arena for fellesskap var integrerte tema gjennom alle svarene i den kvalitative analysen. Mange beskrev gruppen som viktig for å orke å fortsette som allmennlege. Fortolkning Allmennlegenes smågrupper er en viktig arena for støtte og fellesskap og for å utveksle vanskelige erfaringer og faglig usikkerhet.

• Petricek, Goranka; Klemenc-Ketiš, Zalika; Cerovečki, Venija; Willems, Sara; Tsimtsiou, Zoi & Zelko, Erika [Show all 55 contributors for this article] (2025). European general practitioners’ attitudes towards person-centred care and factors that influence its implementation in everyday practice: The protocol of the cross-sectional PACE GP/FP study in 24 European countries. European Journal of General Practice. ISSN 1381-4788. 31(1). doi: 10.1080/13814788.2025.2463630. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Person-centred care (PCC) is a fundamental principle in general practice, emphasising practices tailored to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. Despite the importance of PCC, general practitioners (GPs) face obstacles in effectively implementing it, with associated factors remaining unclear. Objectives The PACE GP/FP study aims to explore GPs’ attitudes towards PCC and the factors facilitating or hindering its implementation in daily practice across European countries. This paper outlines the PACE GP/FP study protocol. Methods The cross-sectional design with data collection via an online survey distribution to GPs in 24 European countries. Study instruments include two validated questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Patient Physician Orientation Scale (PPOS)) and additional items covering general information about the doctor and their practice, as well as facilitators and barriers to PCC. These additional items were specifically developed for the study, translated using the forward-backward method, evaluated through cognitive debriefing, and integrated into the REDCap platform to create language and country-specific survey links. The STROBE checklist guides the reporting of the manuscript. Conclusion The PACE GP/FP study will provide a comprehensive exploration of GPs’ attitudes towards PCC and the factors shaping its practice in Europe. The findings from the PACE GP/FP study will provide evidence for designing future implementation strategies and guide targeted interventions to promote PCC in primary care across Europe.

• 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.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Skjeie, Holgeir & Høye, Sigurd (2024). Quality improvement work in general practice; a Norwegian focus group study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2380920. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Quality improvement work is an essential feature of healthcare services, including general practice. In this study, we aimed to gain more knowledge regarding general practitioners’ (GPs) motivation for such work in their practices, as well as what kind of measures were considered motivating and feasible. Materials and methods We conducted five focus group interviews among Norwegian GPs between November 2021 and November 2022. We included 21 GPs of varying age, gender, experience, and geographic situation. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed by Systematic Text Condensation, a thematic cross-case analysis. Results Many GPs had a diverse and imprecise understanding of the term quality improvement, and sound routines in everyday practice were often given as examples of quality improvement measures. There was a universal attitude that quality improvement initiatives should be close to practice, professionally relevant, and sufficiently small to be manageable. The availability of professional communities, either in the GP practices or in continuous medical education groups, was important for motivation. The role of nurses and health secretaries was highlighted as essential to achieve change. Participants commonly described negative reactions to programs that were imposed by external actors without regard for the GPs’ perceived needs. Conclusion GPs were motivated for quality improvement measures provided feasibility within the framework of general practice. Well-functioning professional communities, including involvement of nurses and health-secretaries, were emphasised as requisite for quality improvement. Small scale quality improvement programs suited for the needs of general practice were well received and should be further developed.

• Bjertnæs, Øyvind A.; Norman, Rebecka M.; Eide, Torunn B.; Holmboe, Olaf; Iversen, Hilde H. & Telle, Kjetil [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Feedback reports to the general practitioner (GP) on the patients' experiences: are GPs interested, and is this interest associated with GP factors and patient experience scores? Family Practice. ISSN 0263-2136. 40(5-6), p. 682–688. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmad019. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background Patient experience feedback is key in patient centred health systems, but empirical evidence of general practitioner (GP) interest in it is sparse. We aimed to: (i) quantitatively estimate the level of GP interest for feedback reports on patient experience; (ii) explore determinants of such interest; and (iii) examine potential association between a priori interest and patient experience. Methods The patient experience survey included maximum 300 randomly selected patients for each of 50 randomly selected GPs (response rate 41.4%, n = 5,623). GPs were sent a postal letter offering feedback reports and were grouped according to their replies: (i) interested in the report; (ii) not interested. Associations between interest and GP variables were assessed with Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, while associations between interest and scores for 5 patient experiences scales were assessed with multilevel regression models. Results About half (n = 21; 45.7%) of the GPs showed interest in the report by asking to receive the report. The only GP variable associated with a priori interest was being a specialist in general practice (58.6% vs. 23.5% for those without) (P = 0.021). Interest was significantly associated with the practice patient experience scale (4.1 higher score compared with those not interested, P = 0.048). Interest in the report had small and nonsignificant associations with the remaining patient experience scales. Conclusions Almost half of the GPs, and almost 3 in 5 of specialists in general practice, were interested in receiving a GP-specific feedback report on patient experiences. Interest in the report was generally not related to patient experience scores.

• 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.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Poel, Esther van; Willems, Sara & Jacobsen, Frode F. (2023). Changes in work tasks and organization of general practice in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a comparative international study. BMC Primary Care. 24(Supplement 1). doi: 10.1186/s12875-023-02146-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to huge and rapid changes in general practice in Norway as in the rest of Europe. This paper aims to explore to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic changed the work tasks and organization of Norwegian general practice. Material and method: We analysed data from the Norwegian part of the international, cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study, collecting data from general practice via an online self-reported questionnaire. We included 130 Norwegian general practices, representing an estimated 520 Norwegian general practitioners (GPs). All Norwegian GPs were invited to participate. In the analyses, we focused on items related to the use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations, changes in the workload, tasks and delegated responsibilities of both the GPs and other personnel in the GP offices, adaptations in routines related to hygiene measures, triage of patients, and how the official rules and recommendations affected the practices. Results: There was a large and significant increase in the use of all forms of alternative consultation forms (digital text-based, video- and telephone consultations). The use of several different infection prevention measures were significantly increased, and the provision of hand sanitizer to patients increased from 29.6% pre-pandemic to 95.1% since the pandemic. More than half of the GPs (59.5%) reported that their responsibilities in the practice had increased, and 41% were happy with the task shift. 27% felt that they received adequate support from the government; however, 20% reported that guidelines from the government posed a threat to the well-being of the practice staff. We found no associations with the rurality of the practice location or size of the municipalities. Conclusion: Norwegian GPs adapted well to the need for increased use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations and reported a high acceptance of their increased responsibilities. However, only one in four received adequate support from the government, which is an important learning point for similar situations in the future.

• Larsen, Selma Mujezinovic; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Brunborg, Cathrine & Ramstad, Kjersti (2022). Daytime contacts and general practitioner consultations, and pain as a reason for encounter in children with cerebral palsy; a Norwegian national registry linkage study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2144992. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of daytime contacts and consultations, and pain as a reason for encounter (RFE) with a general practitioner (GP), in children with cerebral palsy (CP) (cases) to that of the general paediatric population (controls). Methods The study linked the Norwegian Directorate of Health’s database for the control and reimbursement of health expenses, and the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy, including children born from 1996 to 2012 in the period 2006 to 2018. All daytime contacts were included. International Classification for Primary Care was applied for RFE. Results Cases accounted for 0.46% of all daytime contacts and 0.27% of all daytime consultations, the latter corresponding with the estimated national prevalence of CP. GPs registered more administrative contact and coded pain as an RFE less frequently in consultations with cases (6%) than with controls (12%). Interpretation Children with CP did not consult GPs more than the general paediatric population did. In consultations, GPs should ask for pain even if the child with CP or parent does not address pain. The local multidisciplinary team should encourage the family to consider consulting a GP if the child is in pain.

• Collins, Claire; Poel, Esther Van; Milićević, Milena Šantrić; Tripkovic, Katica; Adler, Limor & Eide, Torunn Bjerve [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). Practice and System Factors Impact on Infection Prevention and Control in General Practice during COVID-19 across 33 Countries: Results of the PRICOV Cross-Sectional Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 19(13). doi: 10.3390/ijerph19137830. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Infection prevention and control (IPC) is an evidence-based approach used to reduce the risk of infection transmission within the healthcare environment. Effective IPC practices ensure safe and quality healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for enhanced IPC measures and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need for strict adherence to the basic principles of IPC. This paper aims to describe the IPC strategies implemented in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the factors that impact their adoption. Data were collected by means of an online self-reported questionnaire among general practices. Data from 4466 practices in 33 countries were included in the analysis. Our results showed a notable improvement in IPC during COVID-19 with more practices reporting that staff members never wore nail polish (increased from 34% to 46.2%); more practices reporting that staff never wear a ring/bracelet (increased from 16.1% to 32.3%); and more practices using a cleaning protocol (increased from 54.9% to 72.7%). Practice population size and the practice payment system were key factors related to adoption of a) range of IPC measures including patient flow arrangements and infrastructural elements. An understanding of the interplay between policy, culture, systemic supports, and behavior are necessary to obtain sustained improvement in IPC measures.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Øyane, Nicolas Melchior Frederic & Høye, Sigurd (2022). Promoters and inhibitors for quality improvement work in general practice: a qualitative analysis of 2715 free-text replies. BMJ Open Quality. 11:e001880(4), p. 1–8. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001880. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Continuous quality improvement (QI) is necessary to develop and maintain high quality general practice services. General Practitioners (GPs’) motivation is an important factor in the success of QI initiatives. We aimed to identify factors that impair or promote GPs’ motivation for and participation in QI projects. Material and methods We analysed 2715 free-text survey replies from 2208 GPs participating in the QI intervention ‘Correct Antibiotic Use in the Municipalities’. GPs received reports detailing their individual antibiotic prescriptions for a defined period, including a comparison with a corresponding previous period. The content was discussed in peer group meetings. Each GP individually answered work-sheets on three separate time-points, including free-text questions regarding their experiences with the intervention. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results We identified three overarching themes in the GPs’ thoughts on inhibitors and promoters of QI work: (1) the desire to be a better doctor, (2) structural and organisational factors as both promoters and inhibitors and (3) properties related to different QI measures. The provision of individual prescription data was generally very well received. The participants stressed the importance of a safe peer group, like the Continuous Medical Education group, for discussions, and also underlined the motivating effect of working together with their practice as a whole. Lack of time was essential in GPs’ motivation for QI work. QI tools should be easily available and directly relevant in clinical work. Conclusion The desire to be good doctor is a strong motivator for improvement, but the framework for general practice must allow for QI initiatives. QI tools must be easily obtainable and relevant for practice. Better tools for obtaining clinical data for individual GPs are needed.

• lINGERVELDER, Deon; Koffijberg, Hendrik; Emery, Jon; Fennessy, Paul; Price, Christopher & Marwijk, Harm van [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2021). How to Realize the Benefits of Point-of-Care Testing at the General Practice: A Comparison of Four High-Income Countries. International Journal of Health Policy and Management. 11(10), p. 2248–2260. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.143. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background In some countries, such as the Netherlands and Norway, point-of-care testing (POCT) is more widely implemented in general practice compared to countries such as England and Australia. To comprehend what is necessary to realize the benefits of POCT, regarding its integration in primary care, it would be beneficial to have an overview of the structure of healthcare operations and the transactions between stakeholders (also referred to as value networks). The aim of this paper is to identify the current value networks in place applying to POCT implementation at general practices in England, Australia, Norway and the Netherlands and to compare these networks in terms of seven previously published factors that support the successful implementation, sustainability and scale-up of innovations. Methods The value networks were described based on formal guidelines and standards published by the respective governments, organizational bodies and affiliates. The value network of each country was validated by at least two relevant stakeholders from the respective country. Results The analysis revealed that the biggest challenge for countries with low POCT uptake was the lack of effective communication between the several organizations involved with POCT as well as the high workload for general practitioners (GPs) aiming to implement POCT. It is observed that countries with a single national authority responsible for POCT have a better uptake as they can govern the task of POCT roll-out and management and reduce the workload for GPs by assisting with set-up, quality control, training and support. Conclusion Setting up a single national authority may be an effective step towards realizing the full benefits of POCT. Although it is possible for day-to-day operations to fall under the responsibility of the GP, this is only feasible if support and guidance are readily available to ensure that the workload associated with POCT is limited and as low as possible.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Brænd, Anja Maria (2021). Good communication was valued as more important than accessibility according to 707 Nordic primary care patients: a report from the QUALICOPC study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 39(3), p. 296–304. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2021.1928837. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective To explore Nordic patients’ ranking of the importance of different aspects of general practice. Design Patients ranked the importance of 47 statements reflecting five quality domains: communication, involvement, accessibility, continuity, and comprehensiveness. Setting Nordic general practice. Subjects Patients ≥18 years in general practitioners waiting rooms. Main outcome measures Items rated as important or very important by ≥ 90% in all countries were identified. Associations with patient characteristics were analysed by logistic regression. Results 209 Danish, 175 Norwegian, 129 Finnish, 112 Swedish and 82 Icelandic patients responded. Ten statements were ranked as important or very important by ≥90% in each country. Six pertained to communication, three to patient involvement and one to the comprehensiveness of care. No items regarding accessibility or continuity exceeded the 90% limit. The item most frequently rated as very important was ‘I understand what the GP explains’’. Female patients were more likely to value personal treatment (OR = 2.9; 95%CI 1.5–5.5) and receiving instructions if things went wrong (1.7; 1.2–2.2). Older patients >65 years put less emphasis than those <35 on whether the GP takes them seriously (0.4; 0.3–0.5) and on the importance of instructions (0.5; 0.4–0.7). Patients with chronic diseases were less concerned (0.6; 0.4–0.8) with receiving instructions, but valued strongly that a GP knows when to refer (2.2; 1.5–3.3). Conclusion Patients in all countries assigned high value to good communication. Availability was deemed important but came secondary to good communication.

• Tolvanen, Elina; Groenewegen, Peter; Koskela, TH; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Cohidon, C & Kosunen, Elise (2020). Patient enablement after a consultation with a general practitioner-Explaining variation between countries, practices and patients. Health Expectations. ISSN 1369-6513. 23(5), p. 1129–1143. doi: 10.1111/hex.13091. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Patient enablement is a concept developed to measure quality in primary health care. The comparative analysis of patient enablement in an international context is lacking. Objective To explain variation in patient enablement between patients, general practitioners (GPs) and countries. To find independent variables associated with enablement. Design We constructed multi‐level logistic regression models encompassing variables from patient, GP and country levels. The proportions of explained variances at each level and odds ratios for independent variables were calculated. Setting and Participants A total of 7210 GPs and 58 930 patients in 31 countries were recruited through the Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) study framework. In addition, data from the Primary Health Care Activity Monitor for Europe (PHAMEU) study and Hofstede's national cultural dimensions were combined with QUALICOPC data. Results In the final model, 50.6% of the country variance and 18.4% of the practice variance could be explained. Cultural dimensions explained a major part of the variation between countries. Several patient‐level and only a few practice‐level variables showed statistically significant associations with patient enablement. Structural elements of the relevant health‐care system showed no associations. From the 20 study hypotheses, eight were supported and four were partly supported. Discussion and Conclusions There are large differences in patient enablement between GPs and countries. Patient characteristics and patients’ perceptions of consultation seem to have the strongest associations with patient enablement. When comparing patient‐reported measures as an indicator of health‐care system performance, researchers should be aware of the influence of cultural elements.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2020). Legevakt i Norden før og nå. Michael. ISSN 1893-9651. 17(3), p. 588–601. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Velfungerende legevakttjenester er nødvendige for å kunne tilby gode helsetjenester til et lands befolkning til alle døgnets tider. Ulike helsetjenestesystemer organiserer legevakt på forskjellige måter. Denne artikkelen tar for seg likheter og ulikheter i de nordiske landene, primært i et nåtidsperspektiv, men også med en historisk bakgrunn. I Danmark har man for eksempel sett at tjenester av god kvalitet som er lett tilgjengelige, er populære blant befolkningen.Da blir velfungerende, lett tilgjengelige legevakttjenester mye brukt. Generelt er det viktig å sikre god tilgjengelighet og kvalitet i allmennlegetjenesten på dagtid for å lette presset mot legevakttjenestene. Norske erfaringer viser at økt reisetid reduserer legevaktbruk selv for mer alvorlige tilstander. Vi må derfor fortsette å utvikle strukturen rundt legevakten slik at vi tilbyr solide tjenester både i urbane og rurale områder.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2018). Patients´ and GPs´ expectations regarding healthcare-seeking behavior: a Norwegian comparative study. British Journal of General Practice Open. doi: 10.3399/bjgpopen18X101615. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background GPs are Norwegian patients' first contact point with the healthcare system for most medical problems. However, little is known regarding GPs' expectations towards their patients' healthcare-seeking behaviour, or whether doctors and patients have coinciding expectations of what GPs can do for their patients. Aim To investigate patients' and GPs’ expectations regarding patients’ healthcare-seeking behaviour in primary care, and to make comparisons between the two. Design & setting Norwegian data from the Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) questionnaire study, with information from GPs and their patients. Method Binary logistic regression was used to investigate associations between expectations, sex and age of GPs and patients, list size, and geographical location of practice. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Expectation differences between GPs and patients were analysed using generalised estimating equations (GEEs). Due to multiple testing, Bonferroni correction was used to define significance level at P≤0.002. Results In total, 198 GPs (39.1% female) and 1529 patients (61.9% female) responded. No associations with sex or age were found for the GPs' expectations regarding patients' healthcare-seeking behaviour. Among patients, fewer males than females expected that most people would see their GP for sprained ankle (OR 0.7, 95% CI = 0.5 to 0.9), finger cut (OR 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.7), smoking cessation (OR 0.6, 95% CI = 0.5 to 0.8), or anxiety (OR 0.4, 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.6). Older patients (aged >65 years) found it more important than younger patients to see a doctor in the presence of medical symptoms. GPs had higher expectations than their patients that people in general would see them for deteriorated vision (OR 4.2, 95% CI = 2.5 to 6.9), sexual problems (OR 1.8, 95% CI =1.3 to 2.6), and anxiety (OR 3.0, 95% CI =1.5 to 6.0). Conclusion For several common health problems, males are less likely than females to believe that people will see their GP. GPs may overestimate to what degree their patients will see them for a number of common medical problems.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund; Björkelund, Cecilia; Kosunen, Elise; Thorgeirsson, Ofeigur & Vedsted, Peter [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2017). Differences in medical services in Nordic general practice: a comparative survey from the QUALICOPC study. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 35(2), p. 153–161. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2017.1333323. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: We aim to describe medical services provided by Nordic general practitioners (GPs), and to explore possible differences between the countries. Design and setting: We did a comparative analysis of selected data from the Nordic part of the study Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC). Subjects: A total of 875 Nordic GPs (198 Norwegian, 80 Icelandic, 97 Swedish, 212 Danish and 288 Finnish) answered identical questionnaires regarding their practices. Main outcome measures: The GPs indicated which equipment they used in practice, which procedures that were carried out, and to what extent they were involved in treatment/follow-up of a selection of diagnoses. Results: The Danish GPs performed minor surgical procedures significantly less frequent than GPs in all other countries, although they inserted IUDs significantly more often than GPs in Iceland, Sweden and Finland. Finnish GPs performed a majority of the medical procedures more frequently than GPs in the other countries. The GPs in Iceland reported involvement in a more narrow selection of conditions than the GPs in the other countries. The Finnish GPs had more advanced technical equipment than GPs in all other Nordic countries. Conclusions: GPs in all Nordic countries are well equipped and offer a wide range of medical services, yet with a substantial variation between countries. There was no clear pattern of GPs in one country doing consistently more procedures, having consistently more equipment and treating a larger diversity of medical conditions than GPs in the other countries. However, structural factors seemed to affect the services offered.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund; Melbye, Hasse; Rørtveit, Guri; Hetlevik, Irene & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2016). Patient experiences and the association with organizational factors in general practice: Results from the Norwegian part of the international, multi-centre, cross-sectional QUALICOPC study. BMC Health Services Research. 16(428). doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1684-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background General practitioners (GPs) constitute a vital part of a strong primary health care system. We need further knowledge concerning factors that may affect the patients’ experiences in their meetings with the GPs. We investigated to what degree organizational factors and GP characteristics are associated with patients’ communicative experiences in a consultation. Methods We used data from the Norwegian part of the international, multi-center study Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC). We included 198 Norwegian GPs and 1529 patients. The patients completed a survey concerning experiences in a consultation with a GP on the inclusion day. The GPs completed a survey regarding organizational aspects of their own practice. Main outcome measures were seven statements concerning how the patients experienced the communication with the GP during the consultation. A generalized estimating equation logistic regression model was used to identify variations in patient experiences associated with characteristics of the GPs and their practices. Results The patients reported overall positive experiences with their GP consultations. Patients who consulted a GP with a short patient list were less likely than patients who consulted a GP with a medium sized list to regard the GP as polite (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.2; 95 % CI 0.1–0.7), to report that the GP asked questions about their health problems (OR 0.6; 0.4–1.0) or that the GP used sufficient time (OR 0.5; CI 0.3–0.9). Patients who consulted a GP with a long patient list compared to patients who consulted a GP with a medium sized list were less likely to feel that they could cope better after the GP visit (OR 0.5; 0.3–0.9) and more likely to feel that the GP hardly looked at them while talking (OR 1.8; 1.0–3.0). No associations with patient experiences were found with the average duration of the consultations, whether the GP worked in a fee-for-service model or whether the GP was the patient’s regular doctor. Conclusions Norwegian patients report predominantly positive experiences when consulting a GP. Positive communication experiences are most likely to be reported when the GP has a medium sized patient list.

• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Hippe, Veslemøy Cathrine & Brekke, Mette (2012). The feasibility of antibiotic dosing four times per day: A prospective observational study in primary health care. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 30(1), p. 16–20. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2012.654196. Full text in Research Archive

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• Eide, Torunn Bjerve & Risør, Torsten (2024). Quality in general practice–state of affairs or dynamic process? Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 42(3), p. 365–366. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2379481. Full text in Research Archive
• Petricek, Goranka; Dahli, Mina; Eide, Torunn Bjerve & al, et (2023). European general practitioners’/family physicians’ attitudes towards person-centered care and factors that influence its implementation in everyday practice-preliminary results. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Poel, Esther Van; Willems, Sarah & Jacobsen, Frode Fadnes (2023). Changes in work tasks and organization of general practice in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Pricov-19 study. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2023). Tankevekkende, men varierende. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0253. Full text in Research Archive
• 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
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2022). Hva fremmer og hemmer fastlegers motivasjon for kvalitetsarbeid i praksis? Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Guassora, Ann Dorrit; Johansen, May-Lill; Dysthe, Kim Kristoffer & Johansson, Stefan (2022). The Qualitative Toolbox of General Practice Research. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2022). The desire to be a better doctor versus the struggle against time and resources; Promotors and inhibitors for quality improvement work in general practice. A qualitative analysis of 3665 free-text replies from participants in a quality improvement project. Full text in Research Archive
• Larsen, Selma Mujezinovic; Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Brunborg, Cathrine & Ramstad, Kjersti (2022). Frequency of general practitioner consultations and pain as a reason for encounter in children with cerebral palsy; a Norwegian national linkage study. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background and Objective(s): Pain is a health complaint well known to general practitioners (GPs). Pain prevalence is higher in children with cerebral palsy (CP) than in the general paediatric population. We compared the frequency of daytime GP contacts, consultations, and pain as a reason for encounter (RFE), in children with CP and the general paediatric population. Study Design: National registry linkage study. Study Participants & Setting: All children born 1996 to 2012, living in Norway in 2006-2018, registered with a GP contact were included. A cohort of children with CP (cases) was compared to the general population of the same age (controls). Materials/Methods: Two national databases; the Norwegian Directorate of Health’s database for the control and reimbursement of health expenses, and the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy were linked. All daytime GP contacts during workdays were included, and consultations (physical or virtual meeting with a GP) were analyzed for pain as a RFE in three age groups (0–5, 6–11 and 12–17 years) using codes from the International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC-2). Results: Cases accounted for 0.46% of all daytime contacts, and 0.27% of consultations. The latter corresponded with the estimated national CP prevalence of 2.5 per 1000 (95%CI 2.4–2.7 per 1000). GPs registered more administrative contacts with cases than with controls. GPs coded pain less frequently in consultations with cases than with controls in the three age groups (RR 0.64 [95%CI 0.59–0.69]; 0.41 [0.38–0.43]; 0.53[0.49–0.56]). The risks for codes indicating headache, and abdominal pain, were lower in cases than in controls in all age groups; (RR 0.46 [0.28–0.76]; 0.34 [0.27–0.42]; 0.39 [0.31-0.48])and (RR 0.39 [33–0.46]; 0.31 [0.27–0.35]; 0.62 [0.54–0.72]) respectively. The risk that a consultation included a pain code grouped as “musculoskeletal pain” was lower in cases than in controls in the age groups 6 to 11 years (RR 0.46 [0.43–0.51]) and 12 to 17 years (RR 0.51 [0.47–0.56]), while there was no difference between cases and controls in the age group 0 to 5 years, RR 0.94 (0.84–1.05). In cases, Neurological disease, other (N99), was the only RFE coded in 7,199 (16.6%) of 43,302 consultations. Conclusions/Significance: GPs did not meet children with CP more often than controls, but they did more administrative work for cases than for controls. GPs coded pain as a RFE less frequently in consultations with children with CP than in consultations with controls. The latter could be explained by the tendency to code for the chronic condition (CP) only. Still, the results indicate that in consultations, GPs should ask for pain even if the child with CP or parent does not address pain. Further, the local multidisciplinary team should encourage the family to consult a GP if the child is in pain.

• 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
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2022). The desire to be a better doctor versus the struggle against time and resources; Promotors and inhibitors for quality improvement work in general practice. A qualitative analysis of 3665 free-text replies from participants in a quality improvement project. Full text in Research Archive
• Eliassen, Knut Eirik Ringheim; Fosse, Anette; Risør, Torsten; Austad, Bjarne; Skjellegrind, Håvard Kjesbu & Eide, Torunn Bjerve [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2022). Fastlegeordningen dør. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2018). How can a general practitioner help? Patients’ and doctors’ views on reasons for visiting a GP; results from Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2018). Current situation of General Practice in Norway. Challenges and Actions. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2017). Nordic general practitioners´ role in the treatment and follow-up of common medical conditions. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2017). Current situation of General Practice in Norway. Challenges and Actions. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2017). Differences in Nordic general practitioners´ participation in treatment and follow-up of common medical conditions. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2016). Procedures, tests and medical equipment in Nordic general practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve (2015). GPs workload in the Nordic countries. Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Melbye, Hasse; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2015). Are patient experiences in general practice affected by independent organizational factors? Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Melbye, Hasse; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2014). Norske allmennlegers arbeidshverdag – hva skjer på legekontorene og hvordan opplever pasientene det? Full text in Research Archive
• Eide, Torunn Bjerve; Straand, Jørund & Rosvold, Elin Olaug (2019). General practitioners' and patients experiences and expectations: A cross-sectional study from Norwegian and Nordic general practice. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Comprehensive primary care services are associated with better healthcare quality. The aims of this thesis were to compare medical services provided by GPs in the Nordic countries, to study associations between organisational factors and Norwegian patients´ experiences in GP consultations, and to explore possible differences between GPs´ and patients´ expectations regarding the GPs´ services in Norway. The thesis is based on questionnaire data from 875 GPs from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland as well as questionnaire data from 1529 Norwegian patients. GPs in the Nordic countries provided a wide spectrum of medical services. The Finnish GPs more frequently than their Nordic colleagues had access to advanced technological equipment like ultrasound and gastroscopes. Ninety per cent of Norwegian and 86% of Danish GPs inserted intra-uterine devices, and were significantly more likely to do this procedure than GPs in the other Nordic countries (Sweden 20%, Finland 70%, Iceland 13%). Icelandic GPs were less likely than Norwegian GPs to be involved in follow-up of patients with a selection of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, myocardial infarction, and Parkinson´s disease. Patients visiting GPs with a short (≤900) or long patient lists (> 1300) were less likely than patients visiting GPs with medium sized patient list (900 – 1300) to report positive experiences with the communication with the GP. Norwegian GPs overestimated to what degree their patients would see them for a variety of common medical problems, e.g. deteriorating vision, anxiety, and sexual problems. Differences in the medical services offered by Nordic GPs may be related to variations in remuneration systems and differences in task distribution. From the patients´ point of view, a medium sized patient list is preferable to allow for a more positive communicative experience. A further discussion on which tasks that should form part of general practice is warranted.

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