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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
"A powerful intervention: general practitioners'; use of sickness certification in depression"
Sara Macdonald1, Margaret Maxwell, Philip Wilson
1General Practice and Primary Care, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 1, Horselethill Road, Glasgow, G12 9LX, UK. sara.macdonald@glasgow.ac.uk
BMC Family Practice
|August 11, 2012
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) find sickness certification for depression challenging. While time off work can be beneficial, predicting patient return-to-work is difficult, highlighting the need for further research into effective support strategies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Psychiatry
- General Practice
Background:
- Depression is a leading cause of sickness absence, with sickness certificates issued in one-third of consultations.
- Existing research on GP views of sickness certification lacks focus on depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore General Practitioners' (GPs) views on sickness certification specifically for patients with depression.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 GPs in Scotland between 2008 and 2009.
- Practices were purposively selected to represent variations in incapacity claimants and antidepressant prescribing.
Main Results:
- GPs highlighted the importance of patient advocacy and stakeholder tensions within the sickness certification system.
- Themes included flexible responses to depression, the therapeutic value of time off work, and the benefits of returning to work.
- Most patients with depression returned to work after short absences, but predicting difficulties was challenging.
Conclusions:
- Sickness certification for depression presents unique challenges for GPs.
- Sickness certificates are perceived as significant interventions.
- The effectiveness of time off work for depression requires further investigation.
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