How well did Norwegian general practice prepare to address the COVID-19 pandemic?

Objectives We aimed to describe the quality improvement measures made by Norwegian general practice (GP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluate the differences in quality improvements based on region and assess the combinations of actions taken. Design Descriptive study. Setting Participants were included after taking part in an online quality improvement COVID-19 course for Norwegian GPs in April 2020. The participants reported whether internal and external measures were in place: COVID-19 sign on entrance, updated home page, access to video consultations and/or electronic written consultations, home office solutions, separate working teams, preparedness for home visits, isolation rooms, knowledge on decontamination, access to sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 clinics. Participants One hundred GP offices were included. The mean number of general practitioners per office was 5.63. Results More than 80% of practices had the following preparedness measures: COVID-19 sign on entrance, updated home page, COVID-19 clinic in the municipality, video and written electronic consultations, knowledge on how to use PPE, and home office solutions for general practitioners. Less than 50% had both PPE and knowledge of decontamination. Lack of PPE was reported by 37%, and 34% reported neither sufficient PPE nor a dedicated COVID-19 clinic. 15% reported that they had an isolation room, but not enough PPE. There were no geographical differences. Conclusions Norwegian GPs in this study implemented many quality improvements to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the largest potentials for improvement seem to be securing sufficient supply of PPE and establishing an isolation room at their practices.publishedVersio

Increased Health Risk in Subjects with High Self-Reported Seasonality

Background: Seasonal variations in mood and behaviour, termed seasonality, are commonly reported in the general population. As a part of a large cross-sectional health survey in Hordaland, Norway, we investigated the relationship between seasonality, objective health measurements and health behaviours. Methodology/Principal Findings: A total of 11,545 subjects between 40–44 years old participated, completing the Global Seasonality Score, measuring seasonality. Waist/hip circumference, BMI and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Subjects also completed a questionnaire on miscellaneous health behaviours (exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations between seasonality and objective health measurements, while binary logistic regression was used for analysing associations between seasonality and health behaviours. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, month of questionnaire completion and sleep duration. Seasonality was positively associated with high waist-hip-ratio, BMI, triglyceride levels, and in men high total cholesterol. Seasonality was negatively associated with HDL cholesterol. In women seasonality was negatively associated with prevalence of exercise and positively associated with daily cigarette smoking. Conclusions/Significance: High seasonality was associated with objective health risk factors and in women also with health behaviours associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease

Improving drug prescription in general practice using a novel quality improvement model

Introduction Quality improvement (QI) clusters have been established in many countries to improve healthcare using the Breakthrough Series’ collaboration model. We investigated the effect of a novel QI approach based on this model of performed medication reviews and drug prescription in a Norwegian municipality. Methods All 27 General Practitioners (GPs) in a mid-size Norwegian municipality were invited to join the intervention, consisting of three peer group meetings during a period of 7–8 months. Participants learned practical QI skills by planning and following up QI projects within drug prescription practice. Evaluation forms were used to assess participants’ self-rated improvement, reported medication review reimbursement codes (MRRCs) were used as a process measure, and defined daily doses (DDDs) of potentially inappropriate drugs (PIDs) dispensed to patients aged 65 years or older were used as outcome measures. Results Of the invited GPs, 25 completed the intervention. Of these, 76% self-reported improved QI skills and 67% reported improved drug prescription practices. Statistical process control revealed a non-random increase in the number of MRRCs lasting at least 7 months after intervention end. Compared with national average data, we found a significant reduction in dispensed DDDs in the intervention municipality for benzodiazepine derivates, benzodiazepine-related drugs, drugs for urinary frequency and incontinence and non-steroid anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic medications. Conclusion Intervention increased the frequency of medication reviews, resulting in fewer potentially inappropriate prescriptions. Moreover, there was self-reported improvement in QI skills in general, which may affect other practice areas as well. Intervention required relatively little absence from clinical practice compared with more traditional QI interventions and could, therefore, be easier to implement. KEY POINT The current study investigated to what extent a novel model based on the Breakthrough Series’ collaborative model affects GP improvement skills in general practice and changes their drug prescription. KEY FINDINGS Most participants reported better improvement skills and improved prescription practice. The number of dispensed potentially inappropriate drugs decreased significantly in the intervention municipality compared with the national average. The model seemed to lead to sustained changes after the end of the intervention.publishedVersio

Suitability of issuing sickness certificates in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs' experiences

Objective - To explore Norwegian GPs’ experiences with and perceived suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design - We used a mixed methods research design. An online survey with 301 respondents was combined with qualitative interviews with ten GPs. Setting - Norwegian general practice. Results - Most GPs agreed it was difficult to assess a patient’s ability to work without physical attendance for a first-time certification in remote consultations. However, extending a certification was considered less problematic. If physical examinations were required, the GPs would ask the patient to come to the office. The most suitable diagnoses for remote certification were respiratory infections and COVID-19-related diagnoses, as well as known chronic and long-term diseases. The GPs emphasized the importance of knowing both the patient and the medical problem. The GP-patient relationship could be affected by remote consultations, and there were mixed views on the impact. Many GPs found it easier to deny a request for a sickness certification in remote consultations. The GPs expressed concern about the societal costs and an increased number of certifications if remote consultations were too easily accessible. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings should be interpreted in that context. Conclusions - Our study shows that issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations were viewed to be suitable for COVID-19 related problems, for patients the GP has met before, for the follow-up of known medical problems, and the extension of sickness certifications. Not meeting the patient face-to-face may affect the GP-patient relationship as well as make the GPs’ dual role more challenging

Seasonal changes in mood and behaviour in the general population. Associations with mood, sleep and health risk factors

The way seasons affect humans varies considerably between individuals, nevertheless most humans’ mood and behaviour change throughout the year. Almost 25 years ago, Seasonal Affective Disorder was described as recurring major depressive episodes during a certain time of the year. Seasonal Affective Disorder has been reported to be associated with hypersomnia, increased appetite and carbohydrate craving, and the disorder is most common in subjects with high education and socioeconomic status. However, some subjects report a high degree of seasonal changes in mood and behaviour (seasonality) without fulfilling diagnostic criteria for depression. The aim of this thesis was to characterize these subjects with respect to demographic factors, anxiety, depression, sleep and general health risk factors. We analyzed data from a large health survey, the Hordaland Health Study (HUSK). Invitation letters were sent to all men and women aged 40-44 years in Hordaland County, Norway (n=29.400), and the attendance rates were 57% among men and 70% among women. Subjects were asked to fill in the Global Seasonality Score Questionnaire, measuring seasonality on a 6-item scale. Additionally, they completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics, general health, anxiety/depression and sleep. They underwent an examination where weight, height, waist/hip circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipid levels were measured. We found high degree of seasonality to be associated with female gender, low educational level, low annual income and being single. Furthermore, high seasonality per se was significantly correlated to anxiety, depression and sleep problems (mainly associated with insomnia). Subjects with high seasonality also had more health risk factors than subjects with low seasonality. In conclusion, high seasonality did not share the same characteristics as seasonal affective disorder, and seasonality in itself could be a risk factor for both anxiety and depression. Our results could therefore justify seasonality to be a separate dimensional trait associated with several diseases, including depression

Promoters and inhibitors for quality improvement work in general practice: a qualitative analysis of 2715 free-text replies

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.publishedVersio