Care in the era of digital health: experiences from Norwegian general practitioners.

Objective: This study explores the experiences of General Practitioners (GPs) in Norway, examining the role of care in their practice and the impact of digital health technologies on their caregiving approach.

Design: A qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed by systematic text condensation.

Setting: Conducted in various general practice settings within an urban region in southwestern Norway.

Subjects: Eleven GPs were interviewed, chosen to reflect a diverse mix of ages, genders, and professional experiences.

Results: The findings reveal that care occupied a central and multifaceted role in GPs daily practice, and that the care aspect of their practice was experienced as a source of personal fulfilment. Technologies such as Secure Digital Messaging (SDM) and Electronic Health Records could enhance the efficiency of care delivery and facilitate better management of patient interactions, however these technologies also present challenges in maintaining the depth of personal engagement that is central to the care ethics that characterise their caring role. The GPs emphasized the necessity of integrating digital tools in a way that supports the relational and ethical foundations of their caregiving role.

Conclusion: This study underscores the enduring importance of care in general practice, even as digital technologies become increasingly prevalent. GPs maintain their caregiving roles by navigating the complexities of digital tools, highlighting the need for a careful balance between leveraging digital advancements and preserving the core values of care. The findings suggest a need for ongoing evaluation of digital tools to align them with the ethical foundations of care in general practice.