Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences
AbstractObjective To explore Norwegian GPs’ experiences with and perceived suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design We used a mixed methods research design. An online survey with 301 respondents was combined with qualitative interview...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2023.2282587 |
| _version_ | 1797299988352466944 |
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| author | Elin Breivik Eli Kristiansen Paolo Zanaboni Monika A. Johansen Nicolas Øyane Trine Strand Bergmo |
| author_facet | Elin Breivik Eli Kristiansen Paolo Zanaboni Monika A. Johansen Nicolas Øyane Trine Strand Bergmo |
| author_sort | Elin Breivik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AbstractObjective To explore Norwegian GPs’ experiences with and perceived suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design We used a mixed methods research design. An online survey with 301 respondents was combined with qualitative interviews with ten GPs.Setting Norwegian general practice.Results Most GPs agreed it was difficult to assess a patient’s ability to work without physical attendance for a first-time certification in remote consultations. However, extending a certification was considered less problematic. If physical examinations were required, the GPs would ask the patient to come to the office. The most suitable diagnoses for remote certification were respiratory infections and COVID-19-related diagnoses, as well as known chronic and long-term diseases. The GPs emphasized the importance of knowing both the patient and the medical problem. The GP-patient relationship could be affected by remote consultations, and there were mixed views on the impact. Many GPs found it easier to deny a request for a sickness certification in remote consultations. The GPs expressed concern about the societal costs and an increased number of certifications if remote consultations were too easily accessible. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings should be interpreted in that context.Conclusions Our study shows that issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations were viewed to be suitable for COVID-19 related problems, for patients the GP has met before, for the follow-up of known medical problems, and the extension of sickness certifications. Not meeting the patient face-to-face may affect the GP-patient relationship as well as make the GPs’ dual role more challenging. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:59:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f02d10031502493ca96a7d6bae815fa0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0281-3432 1502-7724 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:59:39Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-f02d10031502493ca96a7d6bae815fa02024-02-22T15:18:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care0281-34321502-77242024-01-0142171510.1080/02813432.2023.2282587Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiencesElin Breivik0Eli Kristiansen1Paolo Zanaboni2Monika A. Johansen3Nicolas Øyane4Trine Strand Bergmo5Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwayNorwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwayNorwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwayNorwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwayCentre for Quality Improvement in Medical Practices, Bergen, NorwayNorwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, NorwayAbstractObjective To explore Norwegian GPs’ experiences with and perceived suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design We used a mixed methods research design. An online survey with 301 respondents was combined with qualitative interviews with ten GPs.Setting Norwegian general practice.Results Most GPs agreed it was difficult to assess a patient’s ability to work without physical attendance for a first-time certification in remote consultations. However, extending a certification was considered less problematic. If physical examinations were required, the GPs would ask the patient to come to the office. The most suitable diagnoses for remote certification were respiratory infections and COVID-19-related diagnoses, as well as known chronic and long-term diseases. The GPs emphasized the importance of knowing both the patient and the medical problem. The GP-patient relationship could be affected by remote consultations, and there were mixed views on the impact. Many GPs found it easier to deny a request for a sickness certification in remote consultations. The GPs expressed concern about the societal costs and an increased number of certifications if remote consultations were too easily accessible. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings should be interpreted in that context.Conclusions Our study shows that issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations were viewed to be suitable for COVID-19 related problems, for patients the GP has met before, for the follow-up of known medical problems, and the extension of sickness certifications. Not meeting the patient face-to-face may affect the GP-patient relationship as well as make the GPs’ dual role more challenging.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2023.2282587e-healthremote consultationprimary health caresickness certificationqualitative researchquantitative research |
| spellingShingle | Elin Breivik Eli Kristiansen Paolo Zanaboni Monika A. Johansen Nicolas Øyane Trine Strand Bergmo Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care e-health remote consultation primary health care sickness certification qualitative research quantitative research |
| title | Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences |
| title_full | Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences |
| title_fullStr | Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences |
| title_short | Suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed method study of GPs’ experiences |
| title_sort | suitability of issuing sickness certifications in remote consultations during the covid 19 pandemic a mixed method study of gps experiences |
| topic | e-health remote consultation primary health care sickness certification qualitative research quantitative research |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02813432.2023.2282587 |
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