Abstract
Background
Physicians regard the tasks of sick-listing and work ability assessments problematic and among the most challenging duties in their practice. Few studies have analyzed sick leave prescribing practices, and the practices have been shown to vary among physicians. The aim of this study was to examine the prescribing of sick leave by surgeons and factors that affect these prescribing practices.
Methods
A questionnaire study with 19 hypothetical patient cases was conducted among 338 Finnish surgeons. The effects of both physician-related and local structural background variables on sick leave prescribing were studied using univariate and multiple linear regression models. The economic consequences of the variation in sick leave prescribing were estimated.
Results
The overall number of days of sick leave prescribed for the entire group of 19 patient cases averaged 281.4 days (range = 134–490 days). With the same diagnosis, surgeons prescribed more days of sick leave for patients who do physical work than for those who work in an office. Older surgeons with more working experience and those working in smaller municipalities or in smaller hospitals prescribed longer sick leave than others. Clinical specialists tended to prescribe longer sick leave than those still in specialty training.
Conclusion
Structured education for surgeons on prescribing sick leave, together with defined guidelines, could produce more uniform practices and improve equality among patients.
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Acknowledgments
The Hospital District of Southwest Finland and The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim supported this study. The Finnish Medical Association provided the register data for sampling.
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Kankaanpää, A.T., Laato, M.K. & Tuominen, R.J. Prescribing of Sick Leave by Surgeons: A Survey Based on Hypothetical Patient Cases. World J Surg 37, 2011–2017 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-013-2097-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-013-2097-3