The information needs of people with COPD-The holistic approach with special reference to gender and time since diagnosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine what kinds of unmet information needs people with COPD have and whether there are differences in information needs between genders or based on the time since COPD diagnosis.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data on people with COPD (N = 169) were collected from a two-part questionnaire distributed via website.

Psychosocial issues need more attention in COPD self-management education.

To find out how regularly the contents of patient education regarded as essential for COPD patients' self-management are provided by healthcare professionals in specialised healthcare (SHC) and primary healthcare (PHC) in Finland. A cross-sectional study based on an e-questionnaire with 42 items on the content of self-management education of COPD patients. The study sample included all public SHC units with pulmonary outpatient clinics ( = 29) and nine out of 160 health centres in Finland.

Factors important in the choice of a medical career: a Finnish national study.

Background: Applying for medical school is the first and also one of the most important career choices a physician makes. It is important to understand the reasons behind this decision if we are to choose the best applicants for medical schools and enable them to pursue satisfying careers.

Methods: Respondents to the Finnish Junior Physician 88, Physician 1998 and Physician 2008 studies were asked: "To what extent did the following factors influence your decision to apply for medical school?" In 1998 and 2008 the respondents were also asked: "If you were starting your studies now, would you start studying medicine?" and had to answer "Yes" or "No".

Factors associated with general practice specialty training satisfaction - results from the Finnish Physician Study.

In Finland, achieving licensure as a specialist in general practice takes six years, with four years of training in primary care. Usually training arrangements are evaluated by trainees and their trainers. In this study the opinions of licensed GPs with experience of working in practice were specifically addressed.

The non-clinical contents of GP training need more attention. Results from the Finnish Physician Study.

Background: The competencies required of a GP are complex and ever-expanding. GP training should adequately cover all the content areas.

Objectives: The aim was to assess GPs' and GP trainees' satisfaction with their specialist training and with the contents of training.