Evaluation of the Shared Medication List (Pasientens legemiddelliste, PLL) in North-Norway

Description

The implementation of the Shared Medication List (Pasientens legemiddelliste, PLL) is a high national priority, with the goal of providing healthcare professionals with access to a single, accurate, and up-to-date medication list, regardless of where the patient receives treatment. As part of the implementation in Northern Norway, the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research (NSE) is conducting a longitudinal evaluation of different stages of the implementation process.

The evaluation project aims to assess the implementation and use of PLL from three distinct but complementary perspectives:

1. Users' experiences and perceptions,
2. How PLL affects processes, responsibilities, and collaboration across different levels of healthcare, and
3. How PLL interacts with existing digital systems.

Across these three perspectives, we will also examine how experience sharing and competence development are facilitated through the implementation project's network and collaboration structures.  

The overall objective is to generate relevant knowledge by identifying and describing the factors that influence the implementation, use, and value of PLL. We will:

• Investigate the factors that influence healthcare professionals' trust in and use of PLL (including workflow, time use, quality, and collaboration).
• Explore experiences with established knowledge-sharing networks that support successful implementation.
• Examine how PLL affects collaboration within and between organizations and levels of care.
• Examine how PLL interacts with existing digital technologies for medication management. 

Methods from health services research and implementation science are used to examine how PLL is implemented and scaled. An interdisciplinary approach is essential, reflecting the range of stakeholders affected by and involved in the process. Data are collected through interviews, focus groups, participation/observation, and surveys. The project has established close collaboration with the PLL North implementation project and the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

The results will be continuously discussed and presented to both the regional implementation participants and relevant decision-making authorities.

As of September 2026, interviews with general practitioners have been completed, and a survey targeting healthcare professionals using PLL has been conducted. Interviews with hospital physicians will be carried out during autumn 2026.

Preliminary results:

Please see the attached files in the right-hand margin.

The reports are available here: https://www.helse-nord.no/pll-i-nord/Aktuelt/folgeforskning/