Library Bulletin – Journal Articles – December 2010
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WORKPLACE / OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
JONES, Neil . Healthy workplaces. Occupational Safety and Health Vol 40, No 10 - October 2010: 27-31
Abstract:
Earlier this year, a survey from the CBI revealed that, in 2009, UK employees took around 180 million sick days, an average of 6.4 days each. The financial cost of this to business is estimated to be around £16.8bn. With these figures in mind, it's little surprise that targeting major public health issues should be an important priority for all employers.
MONEY, Annemarie and HUSSEY, Louise and others. Work-related sickness absence negotiations: GPs' qualitative perspectives. British Journal of General Practice Vol 60, No 579 - October 2010: 721-728
Abstract:
Background: GPs can find their role as issuers of sickness certification problematic, particularly in trying to maintain a balance between certifying absence and preserving the doctor-patient relationship. Little research has been published on consultations in which sickness absence has been certified. Aim: To explore negotiations between GPs and patients in sickness absence certification, including how occupational health training may affect this process. Method: A qualitative study was undertaken with GPs trained in occupational health who also participate in a UKwide surveillance scheme studying work-related ill-health. Telephone interviews were conducted with 31 GPs who had reported cases with associated sickness absence. Results: Work-related sickness absence and patients' requests for a `sick note' vary by diagnosis. Some GPs felt their role as patient advocate was of utmost importance, and issue certificates on a patient's request, whereas others offer more resistance through a greater understanding of issues surrounding work and health aquired through occupational health training. GPs felt that their training helped them to challenge beliefs about absence from work being beneficial to patients experiencing ill-health; they felt better equipped to consider patients' fitness for work, and issued fewer certificates as a result of this. Conclusion: Complex issues surround GPs' role in the sickness-certification process, particularly when determining the patient's ability to work while maintaining a healthy doctor-patient relationship. This study demonstrates the potential impact of occupational health training for GPs, particularly in light of changes to the medical statement introduced in 2010