Temporary disability certificates: a cross-sectional study carried out in two Family Health Units
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v41i1.13551Keywords:
Inability to work, Causes, Family doctor, Health expenses, Medical appointmentsAbstract
Introduction: Inability to work (IW) is a problem, due to the economic, social, and health costs. This study aims to determine the main reasons for IW and also analyze medical appointment consumption.
Methods: Observational, descriptive, and transversal study, lasting 12 months (March 2019 to March 2020), in all patients with prolonged IW in the Family Health Units in the study. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.
Results: Two hundred and nine users with an IW were identified, with a predominance of females (52.6%). The average age of the patients was 49.58 years. The average duration of the IW was 418.43 days (maximum 2270 days) and the main reasons for IW were musculoskeletal and psychological disorders. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of consultations during the study period in both units (10.7 consultations/user in patients with IW vs 3.01 for the total unit in Family Health Unit A, p<0.001; and 13.11 appointments/user in patients with IW vs 2.35 in Family Health Unit B, p<0.001). Using a binary logistic regression, it was found that the patient’s age (OR=1.04; 95%CI 1.01-1.09) was significantly associated with the duration of IW. None of the other variables under study were associated with a longer duration of incapacity for work.
Discussion: The data show that patients with long-term IW conditions have an annual number of consultations about 3 to 6 times higher than the remaining patients.
Conclusion: The bureaucratic burden related to long-term IW is great. A reorganization of the issuance of temporary disability certificates is required.
Downloads
References
1. Serviço Nacional de Saúde. Índice de saúde sustentável [homepage]. Lisboa: Ministério da Saúde; 2020 Sep 24. Available from: http://www.sns.gov.pt/noticias/2020/09/24/indice-de-saude-sustentavel/
2. Institute for Employment Studies. Towards a better understanding of sickness absence costs. Dorking: Unum; 2001.
3. Department for Work and Pensions. Pathways to work: helping people into employment. London: Stationery Office; 2002. ISBN 9780101569026
4. Napier JT. Choosing health: making healthier choices easier. London: Department of Health; 2004.
5. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Absence from work [Internet]. Dublin: Eurofound; 2010. Available from: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ef_files/docs/ewco/tn0911039s/tn0911039s.pdf
6. Gjesdal S, Ringdal PR, Haug K, Maeland JG, Vollset SE, Alexanderson K. Mortality after long-term sickness absence: prospective cohort study. Eur J Public Health. 2008;18(5):517-21.
7. Gomes JC, Sousa A, Ribeiro AI, Silva F, Galhardo M, Esquível S, et al. Determinantes de incapacidade temporária para o trabalho de longa duração: estudo InCIT [Determinants of long-term work absenteeism: the INCIT study]. Rev Port Med Geral Fam. 2013;29(3):162-70. Portuguese
8. Waddell G, Aylward M, Sawney P. Back pain, incapacity for work and social security benefits: an international literature review and analysis. London: Royal Society of Medicine Press; 2002. ISBN 9781853155420
9. Jones J, Huxtable C, Hodgson J, Price M. Self-reported work-related illness in 2001/2002. London: HSE; 2003.
10. Crichton S, Stillman S, Hyslop D. Returning to work from injury: longitudinal evidence on employment and earnings. ILR Review. 2011;64(4):765-85.
11. Boden LI. Occupational injury and illness meet the labor market: lessons from labor economics about lost earnings. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006;1076:858-70.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The authors will assign to the RPMGF the sole right to publish and distribute the content of the manuscript specified in this declaration via physical, electronic, broadcasting or any other medium that may come into existence. They also grant the RPMGF the right to use and exploit this manuscript, in particular by assigning, selling or licensing its content. This permission is permanent and takes effect from the moment the manuscript is submitted, has the maximum duration allowed by applicable Portuguese or international law and is of worldwide scope. The authors further declare that this assignment is made free of charge. If the RPMGF informs the authors that it is not going to publish their manuscript, the exclusive assignment of rights ceases forthwith.
The authors authorise the RPMGF (or any entity it may appoint) to act on their behalf when it believes that copyright may have been infringed.
