Abstract
BackgroundAs yet, the benefit of the Fit Note has not been convincingly demonstrated, although a limited body of research suggests that provision of fitness for work advice and sickness absence certification may be improved with training and case-specific direction. The role of certifying sickness absence in the UK has traditionally been conducted by General Practitioners, but this role has now been extended to First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Physiotherapists in primary care. Therefore, FCPs may offer an ideal solution to the current challenges faced within primary care for those with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition at risk of sickness absence from their work environment. ObjectivesThe main aim of this study was to identify the challenges and key learning and development needs of FCPs in response to providing Occupational Health (OH) information in the form of fitness for work advice and sickness certification for patients with MSK conditions within primary care. DesignConsensus was generated using an online modified version of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) method. A priori consensus threshold of 60% was used in the voting stage. ParticipantsNGT participants included clinicians with experience in managing MSK conditions in primary care within the FCP model of care. All participants generated, voted, and ranked the items using an online platform. ConclusionsThis research adds new evidence regarding the challenges and learning and development needs identified by a group of FCPs working within primary care in consideration of sickness absence certification and fitness for work advice. The items highlighted provide evidence to complement Health Education England’s FCP A Roadmap to Practice educational pathway and informs on professional development needs in this area.
Highlights
The benefit of the Fit Note has not been clearly and convincingly demonstrated, a limited body of research suggests that provision of fitness for work advice may be improved with training and casespecific direction [3–5]
This study provides the first known published evidence regarding the challenges faced in delivering sickness absence certification and fitness for work advice within primary care practice with First Contact Practitioner (FCP) expert consensus
The General Practitioners (GPs) Fit Note has been in use in the UK since 2010, when it was implemented following the UK Government commissioned Working for a Healthier Tomorrow Report [29] and the results suggest that FCPs feel the need for extended training in its use and the use of the AHP Health and Work Report [30]
Summary
The UK’s Departments of Health and Work and Pensions, within the White Paper Improving Lives: The Future of Work, URLs: @black cameron The benefit of the Fit Note has not been clearly and convincingly demonstrated, a limited body of research suggests that provision of fitness for work advice may be improved with training and casespecific direction [3–5]. Stakeholders are awaiting further direction from National Government on the confirmed legislation needed for sickness certification authority to be fully realised in practice for AHPs. As yet, the benefit of the Fit Note has not been convincingly demonstrated, a limited body of research suggests that provision of fitness for work advice and sickness absence certification may be improved with training and case-specific direction. FCPs may offer an ideal solution to the current challenges faced within primary care for those with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition at risk of sickness absence from their work environment
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