The following is a summary of “That’s probably how you would want care to be” – experiences of sick leave teams at a health center, a mixed method study,” published in the November 2023 issue of Primary Care by Hällås, et al.

For a study conducted at a health center, researchers sought to assess the impact of introducing sick leave teams on physicians’ ability to evaluate sick leave cases. The objectives included enhancing the quality of assessments for patients requiring sick leave and improving the overall work environment. They sought to explore staff experiences with sick leave teams, examining the impact on the number of sick leave cases and patterns.

A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed. Two focus groups were organized, involving 11 participants selected by the health center head. The focus group members included 6 doctors, 3 district nurses, 1 rehab coordinator, and 1 psychologist. Aggregated data on sick leave, both full-time and part-time, exceeding 90, 180, and 360 days, were collected at the project’s commencement and conclusion, along with data from the corresponding period 18 months before the project started.

The implementation of sick leave teams, comprising physicians and a rehabilitation coordinator for patients dealing with mental health or musculoskeletal issues, revealed three main categories from focus group discussions: working environment, clear roles, and in-depth competence. The total number of individuals on sick leave for over 365 days decreased by 27% from the project’s outset to its conclusion, with an 11% increase in the proportion of women.

The study demonstrated that introducing sick leave teams positively influenced physicians’ perception of managing sick leave. The teamwork approach, akin to occupational health care practices, supported physicians in handling the responsibility collaboratively. Such an approach can potentially make primary care a more appealing and supportive workplace.

Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-023-02192-5