Independent medical evaluation for sick-listed patients: a focus group study of GPs´ expectations and experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) are important stakeholders because they manage 80% of people on long-term sick-leave. Independent medical evaluation (IME) for long-term sick-listed patients is being evaluated in a large randomized controlled trial in one county in Norway in an effort to lower the national sick-leave rate (the NIME trial: Effect Evaluation of IME in Norway). The aim of the current study was to explore GPs' expectations of and experiences with IMEs.

Methods

We conducted three focus group interviews with a convenience sample of 14 GPs who had had 2-9 (mean 5) of their long-term sick-listed patients summoned to an IME. We asked them to recollect and describe their concrete expectations of and experiences with patients assigned to an IME. Systema

SUBMITTER: Aamland A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6114176 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature