Recurrence of sickness absence episodes certified by general practitioners in the UK



Shiels, Chris, Gabbay, Mark ORCID: 0000-0002-0126-8485 and Hillage, Jim
(2016) Recurrence of sickness absence episodes certified by general practitioners in the UK. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE, 22 (2). pp. 83-90.

[img] Text
Recurrence of sickness absence episodes certified by general practitioners in the UK.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript

Download (55kB)

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Compared to other areas of sickness certification, recurrence of certified sickness absence has been relatively under-researched.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aims to report the extent and patterns of recurrence and to identify factors associated with higher rates of recurrence.<h4>Methods</h4>Sickness certification ('fit note') data were collected from 68 general practices in eight regions of the UK for 12 months.<h4>Results</h4>Twenty percent of 31,453 patients in the study had a recurrent certified sickness episode, with over half of these having the second episode in the same diagnostic category as their first. Mental health problems accounted for over a half of all days certified in same-diagnosis recurrent episodes. Male gender, residing in an area of social deprivation, a longer episode of initial certified sickness absence, not having return to work ('may be fit') advice in the first episode, having a mental disorder or musculoskeletal (particularly back) problem were all independently associated with a higher incidence of recurrence.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Differential risk of recurrence needs to be considered when designing return-to-work interventions. Evaluation of effectiveness of interventions (particularly for sickness absentees with mental health problems) has to consider the sustainability of employment after a return to work.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Sickness absence, sickness certification, recurrent sickness absence, return-to-work
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 31 May 2016 14:26
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 07:36
DOI: 10.3109/13814788.2016.1156083
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3001422