title: Case stories in general practice: a focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the interactive process of sharing case stories in small-group activity in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative focus group study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer-group meetings of doctors attending specialist training or continuous medical education in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty female and 30 male doctors working in general practice in Norway.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The storyline of case presentations included detailed stories with emotional engagement, co-authored by other group members. The stories initiated discussions and reflections concerning patients' and doctors' perspectives, medical ethics as well as clinical problems. The safe atmosphere allowed testing out boundaries of socially shared knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sharing case stories in small groups in general practice initiated interaction that facilitated meaning-making, reflection and peer support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abildsnes
authors.forename: Signe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flottorp
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stensland