Orthopaedic Surgeons' Views on Sickness Certification
Author Information
Author(s): Malin Swartling, Rolf Wahlström
Primary Institution: Uppsala University
Hypothesis
How do orthopaedic surgeons perceive their role in sickness certification?
Conclusion
Some orthopaedic surgeons may certify sickness benefits sub-optimally due to a narrow view of their role in the health care system or due to poor skills in handling discordant opinions with patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Orthopaedic surgeons are the most exposed physicians in Sweden regarding sick-listing.
- 53% of orthopaedic surgeons experience problems with sick-listing at least once a week.
- The views on sick-listing practices differ significantly between orthopaedic surgeons and general practitioners.
Takeaway
Doctors who help people with bones sometimes have a hard time deciding if someone should stay home from work when they're hurt. They might not always make the best choice because they see their job differently.
Methodology
Semi-structured interviews with seventeen orthopaedic surgeons from five clinics in four Swedish counties.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported views and experiences of the surgeons.
Limitations
The study may not be generalizable to other countries due to different healthcare systems.
Participant Demographics
Seventeen orthopaedic surgeons (15 males), aged 44-66 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website