The sickness certification system: a qualitative study of the views of Scottish general practioners

S. Hussey, Pat Hoddinott, P. Wilson, J. Dowell, R. Barbour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

157 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives To explore how general practitioners operate the sickness certification system, their views on the system, and suggestions for change.

Design Qualitative focus group study consisting of 11 focus groups with 67 participants.

Setting General practitioners in practices in Glasgow, Tayside, and Highland regions, Scotland.

Sample Purposive sample of general practitioners, with further theoretical sampling of key informant general practitioners to examine emerging themes.

Results General practitioners believed that the sickness certification system failed to address complex, chronic, or doubtful cases. They appeared to develop various operational strategies for its implementation. There seemed to be important deliberate misuse of the system by general practitioners, possibly related to conflicts about roles and incongruities in the system. The doctor-patient relationship was perceived to conflict with the current role of general practitioners in sickness certification. When making decisions about certification, the general practitioners considered a wide variety of factors. They experienced contradictory demands from other system stakeholders and felt blamed for failing to make impossible reconciliations. They clearly identified the difficulties of operating the system when there was no continuity of patient care. Many wished either to relinquish their gatekeeper role or to continue only with major changes.

Conclusions Policy makers need to recognise and accommodate the range and complexity of factors that influence the behaviour of general practitioners operating as gatekeepers to the sickness certification system before making changes. Such changes are otherwise unlikely to result in improvement. Models other than the primary care gatekeeper model should be considered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)88-91
Number of pages3
JournalBritish Medical Journal
Volume328
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004

Keywords

  • PROFESSIONALS
  • ABSENTEEISM
  • ABSENCE
  • PAIN

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