[The calendar as criterion--duration of sick leave and physicians' work conditions]

This paper addresses physicians' tendency to allot standardized, "rounded off" sick leave. Of the 401 sick leaves reviewed, 64.3% lasted for one or two weeks, one or two months, or to the end of the week or month. The patients' presumed wish for an extended leave, and the practitioners' strained work situation were examined as possible influential factors. A scrutiny of general practitioners' and company practitioners' working conditions, and employees' current inclination to work, does not support these ideas. Dialogue between physician and patient should be improved and we also suggest a change to "vaguer" durations of sick leave.