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[Sick leave while on a waiting list]
1Gastroenterologisk seksjon, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim.
Summary
Waiting for hospital treatment leads to significant unnecessary sick leave. Reducing wait times could offer considerable cost savings and improve patient work capacity.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Public Health
- Occupational Health
Context:
- Extended hospital waiting periods contribute to patient incapacity for work.
- The precise extent of sick leave due to delayed treatment is not well-documented.
- Patient and physician perspectives on work capacity post-treatment vary.
Purpose:
- To quantify the extent of sick leave among patients awaiting hospital treatment.
- To investigate the duration and impact of sick leave during treatment waiting periods.
- To assess patient and physician expectations regarding improved work ability after treatment.
Summary:
- A survey of 901 patients across ten hospital departments revealed an average wait time of 86 days.
- 26% of patients experienced sick leave due to their condition while waiting, averaging 48 days per patient.
- Total sick leave amounted to 11,000 days, highlighting a substantial burden on patients and the economy.
Impact:
- The study underscores that many patients on hospital waiting lists are unable to work.
- Reducing hospital waiting times presents an opportunity for considerable cost savings.
- Improving timely access to care can enhance patient work capacity and reduce economic loss.