[Physicians and the National Insurance System]. / Legen og trygden.

The National Insurance Scheme will spend more than the half of its budget for 1989 for purposes linked to activities performed by (medical) doctors. The scheme transfers NOK 25 billion to cover health services. Additionally, an amount of more than NOK 30 billion is spent on cash benefits related to sickness, rehabilitation and permanent disability. This article focuses on the importance the Norwegian doctor attaches to the assignment of benefits under the National Insurance Scheme. The purpose is not to promote a campaign in order to save money on behalf of the National Insurance Scheme, but to promote a more common attitude among doctors concerning their relation to social insurance and the information they provide. The article presents points of view expressing the possibility of too low consumption as well as too high consumption of benefits. Some of this may be compensated by doctors being more aware of the consequences of their activities for the National Insurance Scheme, and for the patient.

[Complaints about primary care physicians]. / Klager på leger i primaerhelsetjenesten.

The most serious complaints against general practitioners are investigated and dealt with by the Directorate of Health. A systematic review of 100 cases of complaint from 1983 up to 21 May 1992 showed that 57 of them concerned an urgent need of medical assistance and deputizing service. One-quarter of the complaints concerned telephone consultations. Incorrect diagnosis was the most frequent reason for the complaint. More than half of the cases referred to acute somatic diseases and accidents. The results will be used jointly by the Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Medical Association to improve practice.