Norway sees rise in practicing GPs as recruitment efforts pay off

Two years ago, Norway’s primary care system faced significant challenges, with doctors reporting overloaded patient lists and extended working hours. Many physicians opted out of the profession during their training, and municipalities struggled to fill vacant GP positions.

Sophie Søgård, a young general practitioner in Drammen, expressed her concerns about becoming self-employed due to these circumstances. However, after two years in her role, she notes that conditions for GPs have greatly improved, allowing her to feel more secure in her position.

The Norwegian General Practitioners’ Association has long been concerned about recruitment in the sector. Fortunately, recent trends show an increase in interest among newly graduated doctors, thanks to various government initiatives aimed at enhancing recruitment. Since the summer of 2023, the number of practicing GPs in Norway has risen by 362.

Key strategies have contributed to this positive trend: First, an increase in base funding has enabled doctors to manage their patient loads better. Second, improved collaboration with municipalities has reduced the workload for emergency services. Lastly, the education structure has been refined, allowing communities to take more responsibility for training new doctors, including offering financial support for attending courses.

As more physicians join the system, the patient load per doctor has decreased, with many now managing between 700 and 1,200 patients, compared to figures as high as 2,000 in the past. Although the situation is improving, over 160,000 Norwegians still lack a designated GP. Nonetheless, the government acknowledges that progress is being made and remains committed to ensuring that every resident has access to primary care.