Decentralized Teaching in Emergency Medicine in a Thinly Populated Area in Norway

Extract

Norway has fairly well developed primary health care. It is developed around general practitioners who, in their local regions, are responsible for total health care, including emergency medical care. During the last few years, there has been an increasing buildup of resources in the hospitals in the area. Modern technical equipment, increasing knowledge and practical training among the house physicians have greatly improved standards of CPR and emergency health service inside hospitals. Unfortunately, there has not been a proportional build up of resources, knowledge and practical skills in the districts and rural areas. An increasing gap between the treatment offered inside and outside hospitals has developed.