What makes physicians go to work while sick : A comparative STUDY of Sickness presenteeism in four European countries (HOUPE)

• QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: Sickness presenteeism is common in the health sector, especially among physicians, leading to high costs in terms of medical errors and loss in productivity. This study investigates predictors of sickness presenteeism in university hospitals, which might be especially exposed to competitive presenteeism. The study included comparisons of university hospitals in four European countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey analysis of factors related to sickness behaviour and work patterns in the field of academic medicine was performed among permanently employed physicians from the HOUPE (Health and Organisation among University Physicians Europe) study: (Sweden n = 1,031, Norway n= 354, Iceland n = 242, Italy n = 369). The outcome measure was sickness presenteeism. RESULTS: Sickness presence was more common among Italian physicians (86%) compared with physicians in other countries (70%-76%). Country-stratified analyses showed that sickness presenteeism was associated with sickness behaviour and role conflicts in all countries. Competition in the form of publishing articles was a predictor in Italy and Sweden. Organisational care for physician well-being reduced sickness presenteeism in all countries. CONCLUSION: Sickness presenteeism in university hospitals is part of a larger behavioural pattern where physicians seem to neglect or hide their own illness. Factors associated with competitive climate and myths about a healthy doctor might contribute to these behaviours. Importantly, it is suggested that managers and organisations should work actively to address these questions since organisational care might reduce the extent of these behaviours.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Academic medicine

Physician health

Sickness presenteeism

Work organisation

absenteeism

adult

article

comparative study

controlled study

female

human

Iceland

Italy

male

medical error

Norway

outcome assessment

physician attitude

productivity

publishing

university hospital

wellbeing

work

work environment

cross-sectional study

medical leave

middle aged

occupational health

patient attitude

physician

questionnaire

statistics

Sweden

Cross-Sectional Studies

Efficiency

Hospitals

University

Humans

Physician's Role

Physicians

Questionnaires

Sick Leave

Sick Role

Psychology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)