[Diabetic care--a model of cooperation (Prima Dia)]. / Diabetesomsorg--en samarbeidsmodell (Prima Dia).

The article points to some recent improvements in the field of diabetology. Modern methods of treatment facilitate better metabolic control. To meet these challenges there is a need for more flexible diabetic care schemes and closer cooperation between all categories of medical personnel involved. Prima Dia is an example of such an initiative. It is based upon a continuous diabetes re-education programme and the same simple diabetic record card for general practitioner, hospital diabetologist and patient.

[Quality assurance of cooperation/distribution of work between primary health care and other health services. Using care for diabetics as a basis]. / Kvalitetssikring av samhandling/arbeidsfordeling mellom primaerhelsetjenesten og annenlinjetjenesten. Utgangspunkt er tatt i diabetikeromsorgen.

Chronic illnesses account for an increasing share of the work load of the health services, implying that health personnel have to face a number of different complex problems. Many of these concern co-operation between the various professionals and levels of the health services, and distribution of the load of work. How well this co-operation works will have a decisive effect on the quality of the treatment. These problems are discussed using care of diabetes patients as an example. It is important to achieve medical consensus at different levels. The authors suggest ways of establishing co-operation within the medical profession, specifically defining responsibility, ensuring good and frequent communication with patients, and promoting patient participation. The article also describes concrete solutions and includes a check list for quality assessment.