SKDE has taken over the responsibility for Metodebok.no.

Metodebok.no is an open and free online portal that provides healthcare professionals access to method books, user guides, and procedures. SKDE took over responsibility for Metodebok from Helse Sør-Øst RHF at the turn of 2023/2024.

According to Director Eva Stensland, this is a task that fits well within SKDE's portfolio, as common method books are an important part of the work to reduce unwanted variation in healthcare services and achieve consistent practice across hospitals and health regions.

— This is right up our street at SKDE because we aim to contribute to good and equitable healthcare services and reduce unwanted variation. The widespread use of the portal means that the method books are important tools for clinicians. Helse Sør-Øst has done a tremendous job over ten years in promoting this field. We at SKDE will put in a great effort to further develop and take good care of metodebok.no, she explains.

Eight million accesses per year

Every day, there are over 22,000 accesses to Metodebok.no, and the number is steadily increasing. In total, this amounts to around eight million accesses per year. Approximately 40 percent of the accesses are made on mobile phones.

On the website, healthcare professionals can find a variety of methods, guides, and procedures for healthcare services. Some of the main categories include clinical procedures, diagnostic methods, laboratory disciplines, and treatment protocols. Over several years, a close collaboration has been developed with the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and one can also find the Directorate's guidelines for antibiotic treatment, as well as action programmes and pathways for cancer.

Metodebok.no is regularly expanded with new or updated methods and procedures. Some of the latest additions include procedures in clinical neurophysiology, gynaecology, cerebral palsy, and palliative care.

The methods are developed and maintained by the editorial teams for the respective books to ensure that healthcare professionals have access to updated and reliable information.

Well-known in the field

One person is employed full-time in the work with metodebok.no. This is medical advisor Per Meinich. He started the job right after the summer of 2024. For Meinich, this was already a well-known area.

— Yes, for several years I have been part of the National Management Group for the method book. In addition, I was involved in launching the method book in 2014 by having professional responsibility for clinical ICT systems in Helse Sør-Øst, he explains.

In addition, he has a long and impressive CV. After initially training as a civil economist in the USA, he changed direction and began studying medicine in Oslo, specialising in anaesthesiology. Within the healthcare sector, he has had a long career that includes being a board member at Ullevål Hospital, vice-president of the Norwegian Medical Association, chair of the Norwegian Anaesthesiology Association, clinic manager at the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN), and deputy managing director at Vestre Viken HF. For the past 11 years, he has held various roles within technology and e-health in Helse Sør-Øst.

Eva Stensland is very pleased to have Per Meinich on the team, and for the expertise and experience he brings to the position.

— Because he has worked with the method book for so long, he knows the concept very well. It was important for us to hire someone who could work independently, says Stensland.

Similar procedures make comparison easier

One of the main goals for the method book is that it is perceived as simple and accessible for clinicians, and that they find everything they need in one place.

According to Per Meinich, there are still too many outdated procedures in the healthcare system.

— For example, one hospital had 32 different procedures for the use of central venous catheters (CVC). Everyone using CVC had developed their own procedures. Therefore, it is beneficial for hospitals to work evidence-based to establish common procedures. Moreover, if everyone uses similar procedures when necessary, it will also make it easier to compare results. If procedures are not similar, it becomes impossible. Methods are also linked to goals for more consistent quality. We see this in the quality indicators.

Meinich is also pleased that there is a national entity like SKDE that has taken on the task of Metodebok.no.

— SKDE has the national perspective. It is truly an exciting connection with SKDE and the role of a learning healthcare system, believes Meinich.

Eva Stensland is also enthusiastic about the work that lies ahead, although she admits that it is not always easy to get everyone on board.

— Working with Metodebok.no is about spreading expertise, and that is not always easy. But one must not give up, concludes Eva Stensland.

Read more about SKDE's new assignment here: Metodebok - SKDE - Helse Nord RHF