Patients' attitudes to sickness certification in general practice

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The fit note replaced the sick note in 2010 to facilitate return to work.
• Research on general practitioners' (GPs) views on fit notes is extensive, but patient perspectives are under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patients' attitudes and feelings about the sickness certification process.
• To understand patient experiences with the fit note system.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured, tape-recorded telephone interviews were conducted with patients who received fit notes.
• Participants discussed reasons for sickness absence, work-relatedness, and experiences with the fitness for work process.
• Interviews explored patient feelings about their GP's and employer's reactions to sickness absence.

Main Results:

• Analysis revealed four key themes: 'significant stigma', 'a GP who knows me', 'value of work', and 'emotional barriers'.
• Patients expressed a preference for continuity of care with a familiar GP.
• Patients perceived a familiar GP as having a better understanding of their attitude towards sickness and work.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the significant impact of stigma and emotional factors in sickness certification.
• Findings suggest a need for further research into the stigma associated with sickness certification and patients' emotional responses.
• Emphasizes the importance of a trusting patient-GP relationship in managing sickness absence and return to work.