Cornelis A de Kock1, Peter L B J Lucassen2, Laura Spinnewijn3, J André Knottnerus4, Peter C Buijs5, Romy Steenbeek5, Antoine L M Lagro-Janssen1. 1. a Department of Primary and Community Care, Gender & Women's Health , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , the Netherlands ; 2. b Department of Primary and Community Care , Radboud University Medical Centre , Nijmegen , the Netherlands ; 3. c Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Hospital De Gelderse Vallei , Ede , the Netherlands ; 4. d CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care; Dept. of General Practice , Maastricht University , Maastricht , the Netherlands ; 5. e TNO Work, Health and Care , Leiden , the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, there is a lack of knowledge about general practitioners' (GPs) perception of their role regarding patients' occupation and work related problems (WRP). As work and health are closely related, and patients expect help from their GPs in this area, a better understanding is needed of GPs' motivation to address WRP. OBJECTIVES: To explore GPs' opinions on their role in the area of work and health. METHODS: This is a qualitative study using three focus groups with Dutch GPs from the catchment area of a hospital in the Southeast of the Netherlands. The group was heterogeneous in characteristics such as sex, age, and practice setting. Three focus groups were convened with 18 GPs. The moderator used an interview guide. Two researchers analysed verbatim transcripts using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: We distinguished three items: (a) work context in a GP's integrated consultation style; (b) counselling about sick leave; (c) cooperation with occupational physicians (OPs). The participants are willing to address the topic and counsel about sick leave. They consider WRP in patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) challenging. They tend to advise these patients to continue working as they think this will ultimately benefit them. CONCLUSION: The participating GPs seemed well aware of the relation between work and health but need more knowledge, communication skills and better cooperation with occupational physicians to manage work-related problems. [Box: see text].
BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, there is a lack of knowledge about general practitioners' (GPs) perception of their role regarding patients' occupation and work related problems (WRP). As work and health are closely related, and patients expect help from their GPs in this area, a better understanding is needed of GPs' motivation to address WRP. OBJECTIVES: To explore GPs' opinions on their role in the area of work and health. METHODS: This is a qualitative study using three focus groups with Dutch GPs from the catchment area of a hospital in the Southeast of the Netherlands. The group was heterogeneous in characteristics such as sex, age, and practice setting. Three focus groups were convened with 18 GPs. The moderator used an interview guide. Two researchers analysed verbatim transcripts using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: We distinguished three items: (a) work context in a GP's integrated consultation style; (b) counselling about sick leave; (c) cooperation with occupational physicians (OPs). The participants are willing to address the topic and counsel about sick leave. They consider WRP in patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) challenging. They tend to advise these patients to continue working as they think this will ultimately benefit them. CONCLUSION: The participating GPs seemed well aware of the relation between work and health but need more knowledge, communication skills and better cooperation with occupational physicians to manage work-related problems. [Box: see text].
Entities:
Keywords:
General practice; occupational health physicians; qualitative research; return to work; sick leave
Authors: Cornelis A de Kock; Peter L B J Lucassen; Hans Bor; J André Knottnerus; Peter C Buijs; Romy Steenbeek; Antoine L M Lagro-Janssen Journal: Eur J Gen Pract Date: 2018-12 Impact factor: 1.904
Authors: Marie-Christine Sarfo; Kristel M van Asselt; Monique H Frings-Dresen; Femke de Jong; Nynke van Dijk; Angela G E M de Boer Journal: BMC Prim Care Date: 2022-06-17