BACKGROUND: At present, sickness certification is largely undertaken by general practitioners (GPs). Guidance from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is available to help with this task; however, there has been little formal evaluation of the DWP's guidance in relation to day-to-day general practice. AIMS: To assess GPs' training, knowledge and application of the DWP's sickness certification guidelines. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was sent to GPs within a (former) primary care trust (PCT). It probed demographics, training and knowledge of sickness certification guidelines. Case histories and structured questions were used to assess current practice. RESULTS: In this group of 113 GPs, there was a low awareness and use of the DWP's guidelines and Website relating to sickness certification. The majority of the GPs (63%) had received no training in sickness certification, and the mean length of time for those who had received training was 4.1 h. Most GPs also felt that patients and GPs have equal influence on the duration of sickness certification. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence of variable practice indicates that GPs should have more guidance and education in sickness certification. Closer sickness certification monitoring through existing GP computer systems may facilitate an improvement in practice that benefits patients and employers. The DWP, medical educators and PCTs may all have an additional role in further improving sickness certification practice.
BACKGROUND: At present, sickness certification is largely undertaken by general practitioners (GPs). Guidance from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is available to help with this task; however, there has been little formal evaluation of the DWP's guidance in relation to day-to-day general practice. AIMS: To assess GPs' training, knowledge and application of the DWP's sickness certification guidelines. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was sent to GPs within a (former) primary care trust (PCT). It probed demographics, training and knowledge of sickness certification guidelines. Case histories and structured questions were used to assess current practice. RESULTS: In this group of 113 GPs, there was a low awareness and use of the DWP's guidelines and Website relating to sickness certification. The majority of the GPs (63%) had received no training in sickness certification, and the mean length of time for those who had received training was 4.1 h. Most GPs also felt that patients and GPs have equal influence on the duration of sickness certification. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence of variable practice indicates that GPs should have more guidance and education in sickness certification. Closer sickness certification monitoring through existing GP computer systems may facilitate an improvement in practice that benefits patients and employers. The DWP, medical educators and PCTs may all have an additional role in further improving sickness certification practice.
Authors: Monika Engblom; Gunnar Nilsson; Britt Arrelöv; Anna Löfgren; Ylva Skånér; Christina Lindholm; Elin Hinas; Kristina Alexanderson Journal: Scand J Prim Health Care Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 2.581
Authors: Christina Lindholm; Britt Arrelöv; Gunnar Nilsson; Anna Löfgren; Elin Hinas; Ylva Skånér; Anna Ekmer; Kristina Alexanderson Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-12-06 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Will Whittaker; Matt Sutton; Margaret Maxwell; Rosalia Munoz-Arroyo; Sara Macdonald; Andrew Power; Michael Smith; Philip Wilson; Jill Morrison Journal: BMJ Date: 2010-08-17