Academic interests
GP and specialist in family medicine. PhD candidate at Department of General Practice, Institute of Health, and Society at UiO. Having a strong appreciation for the benefits of structured communication in enhancing patients' sense of competence and promoting greater participation in their work. I am a practicing GP and have created the communication tool due to the lack of effective tools available to GPs in clinical practice. The tool, called the "Individual Challenge Inventory Tool (ICIT)," is based on validated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques such as problem-solving, behavioral activation, Socratic dialogue, and cognitive restructuring. The latter technique is particularly utilized when addressing sick leave. The implementation of ICIT involves integrating these CBT techniques to develop a comprehensive activity plan while using Socratic dialogue to emphasize possibilities rather than limitations. Although ICIT is a transdiagnostic communication tool, it is specifically tailored to assist GPs in effectively managing patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS). Its primary goal is to empower patients, enabling them to enhance their coping skills in their daily lives and work environments.
Courses offered
I have developed a structured communication tool with a work-focused cognitive therapy approach for primary care practice focusing on the management of patients with MUPS and difficult sick leave We have named the communication tool "Individual Challenge Inventory Tool" -ICIT.
Background
General practitioner, specialist in family medicine. Trained group supervisor for general practitioners in specialization. University lecturer at University of Oslo. Worked as a doctor at the county's psychiatric department at the Hospital in Vestfold.
Keywords
General practitioner (GP),Conversation tool, Cognitive therapy, Work-focused cognitive therapy, Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS), Sick leave
Positions held
Primary hyperparathyroidism in kidney stone patients at Sykehuset Buskerud 2001. Award for best abstract Norwegian surgical association autumn 2002. C.Abrahamsen, C.Eek, Haffner, R H. Hagen.
Publications
1)Abrahamsen C, Lindbaek M, Werner EL. Experiences with a structured conversation tool: a qualitative study on feasibility in general practice in Norway. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2022 May 19:1-7. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2076396. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35587153.
2) The effects of a structured communication tool in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms: a cluster randomized trial. EClinicalMedicine , published by The Lancet.
Cathrine Abrahamsen, Silje Endresen Reme, Knut Reidar Wangen,Morten Lindbæk Erik Lønnmark Werner
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00439-X/fulltext
Partners
The Mind Body Lab
https://www.mindbodylab.no