Groups of general practitioners, working in the same geographical area, are to meet regularly every two weeks for three hour sessions. The Norwegian Medical Association has taken the responsibility of arranging a special education for the group leaders. However, the trainees themselves will be responsible for literature search, reading and introductory talks in the 40 meetings. The meetings cover clinical and theoretical aspects of general practice. An educational handbook presents introductory texts for preparatory reading.
Less emphasis is placed on hospital training than in corresponding programmes in other countries.
Again, this reflects the belief that training for general practice is most effective in general practice. Hospitals have been the basis for the medical schools, but young doctors leaving the hospital to work in general practice will find that the diseases are different, the consultation time is short, and the level of technology may seem inadequate. The one year of hospital training may be divided between different clinical departments, but not less than three months in each. There are four compulsory basic courses of 30 hours each, focusing on general practice, preventive medicine, research, and practice management, economics, and law. The rest of the obligatory courses may be chosen from a large menu of clinical topics, approved by the Medical Association.