Sickness certification system in the United Kingdom: qualitative study of views of general practitioners in Scotland.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore how general practitioners operate the sickness certification system, their views on the system, and suggestions for change.

Design

Qualitative focus group study consisting of 11 focus groups with 67 participants.

Setting

General practitioners in practices in Glasgow, Tayside, and Highland regions, Scotland.

Sample

Purposive sample of general practitioners, with further theoretical sampling of key informant general practitioners to examine emerging themes.

Results

General practitioners believed that the sickness certification system failed to address complex, chronic, or doubtful cases. They seemed to develop various operational strategies for its implementation. There appeared to be important deliberate misuse of the system by gener

SUBMITTER: Hussey S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC314050 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature