[Registration in practice as a tool in the compilation of a community diagnosis in Askvoll municipality].

When trying out various models for community diagnosis we registered a sample of doctor-patient contacts in Askvoll municipality over one year. One fifth of all contacts, 2,743, were registered. The contact rate per year was 3.8 per inhabitant. 79% of the contacts were consultations, 10% home visits and 11% telephone consultations. The three most commonly registered diagnostic groups were musculoskeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases and "preventive medicine". Together with a household survey and an analysis of public statistics on mortality, morbidity and disability in our municipality, the registration of doctor-patient contacts form the basis of a community diagnosis. This community diagnosis will help to steer health planning and preventive work in our district in the right direction.