[Turnover of positions as the medically responsible physician in Norwegian municipalities 1988-91].

The aim of the study was to measure turnover in public health posts in Norwegian municipalities from 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1991. From various publications and a self-administered questionnaire mailed to the authorities in selected municipalities we identified 164 (37%) municipalities out of 445 with a change of doctor in the public health post. During the study period, about 200 different doctors had been employed in these 164 municipalities. Additionally, at least 200 doctors had been engaged as public health officers on a short term basis. The findings indicate that counting announcements of vacant public health posts in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association is a reliable method for measuring turnover in such posts.