Differences in sickness absence between self-employed and employed doctors: a cross-sectional study on national sample of Norwegian doctors in 2010

Abstract

BackgroundDoctors have a low prevalence of sickness absence. Employment status is a determinant in the multifactorial background of sickness absence. The effect of doctors’ employment status on sickness absence is unexplored. The study compares the number of sickness absence days during the last 12 months and the impact of employment status, psychosocial work stress, self-rated health and demographics on sickness absence between self-employed practitioners and employed hospital doctors in Norway.MethodsThe study population consisted of a representative sample of 521 employed interns and consultants and 313 self-employed GPs and private practice specialists in Norway, who received postal questionnaires in 2010. The questionnaires contained items on sickness absence days during the last 12 months, employment status, demographics, self-rated health, professional autonomy and psychosocial work stress.Results84% (95% CI 80 to 88%) of self-employed and 60% (95% CI 55 to 64%) of employed doctors reported no absence at all last year. In three multivariate logistic regression models with sickness absence as response variable, employment category was a highly significant predictor for absence vs. no absence, 1 to 3 days of absence vs. no absence and 4 to 99 days of absence vs. no absence), while in a model with 100 or more days of absence vs. no absence, there was no difference between employment categories, suggesting that serious chronic disease or injury is less dependent on employment category. Average or poor self-rated health and low professional autonomy, were also significant predictors of sickness absence, while psychosocial work stress, age and gender were not.ConclusionSelf-employed GPs and private practice specialist reported lower sickness absence than employed hospital doctors. Differences in sickness compensation, and organisational and individual factors may to a certain extent explain this finding.

Gender Differences in Demographic and Clinical Features of Physicians Admitted to a Program for Medical Professionals with Mental Disorders

“…There were no differences between men and women with respect to their current working status (sick leave) what is in line with some studies (32) but contradictory with other studies that report an increased likelihood of women doctors of having sick absence (34–36). …”

Prevalence of Sickness Absence and Its Sociodemographic and Occupational Factors in a Public Service Organization

“…Opposite finding was seen in a study in UK in ICOHS 2017 which doctors/professionals have lower rates of sickness absence than other healthcare workers [8]. The other important relation found in a study in Norway was employment status is a determinant in the multifactorial background of sickness absence [9].…”

Paid Sick Leave as a Means to Reduce Sickness Presenteeism Among Physicians

“…The situation may be different for physicians working in private practice (Rosta et al, 2014;Rosvold & Bjertness, 2001), or for other health care professionals working under different working conditions. A high prevalence of presenteeism has not only been reported among physicians, but also in other occupations in the health and welfare services as well (Aronsson et al, 2000).…”