GPs experienced a number of barriers to what they perceived to be good sick-listing practice. Such barriers need to be addressed in interventions for change. We propose communication skills training, with a special emphasis on difficult situations in sick-listing practice.

The extent and nature of sick-listing problems warrant further concerns, especially in PHCCs. The nature of perceived threats should be elucidated. Developing workplace policies on sick-listing should be encouraged.

Background: The number of people on sick-leave started to increase in Sweden and several other European countries towards the end of the 20 th century. Physicians play an important role in the sickness insurance system by acting as gate-keepers. Our aim was to explore how General Practitioners (GPs) view their sick-listing commission and sick-listing practice.

Background: Sickness certification is a frequent and sometimes problematic task for orthopaedic surgeons.