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.
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 |
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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 |