Local Doctors Weigh In On Sick Leave

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What Ails You

Tuesday, 30 November 2010 06:55

By D Francis

The Social Security Board and the Employers Federation will be tightening up on the abuse of sick leave, which has been a complaint from employers for some time.

They have expressed concern that certain doctors' signatures have been showing up on the certificates of workers who have been taking what they consider “illegitimate” sick leave.

While representatives of the organisations made it clear that they did not intend to bring the reputation or professionalism of doctors into disrepute, one physician noted that a broader view of the issue was needed, although he too has heard of reports where sick leave is being abused.

“I don’t know if I am in the set of doctors whose signatures are turning up more regularly on the medical certificates, but there could very well be a logical reasons for this," he said. "For instance, I see more patients than many other doctors in this country. From the time I arrive in the office at seven, I see patients right down the line.”

He added, "The doctors they have identified may be the same doctors who are seeing the majority of the working population, whereas a district doctor sees patients 15 years and below, and 60 and above, so there might not be much coming from them. All these things must be taken into consideration.”

He was however quick to appeal to any of his counterparts who might be engaging in anything dishonest to stop immediately.

“The thing about it is, as a doctor, there will be people who will come to you with all sorts of issues, and you have to take decisions that will not compromise your profession," he said. "Nobody can pay me for a sick leave. If you are sick, you are sick, and I will give you the amount of time that I think you can use to recuperate. Now some patients who know that they can go to a particular doctor and are guaranteed sick leave would often brag about it. They will talk, and this embarrasses the doctor. Sometimes, you may get in a dispute at work and the first thing that person will say is, I’m going for a sick leave. These things are not to be encouraged.”


"Some patients choose not to come to my office because I stop them in their tracks on these matters," he added.

A specialist in internal medicine said he was also concerned about the allegations, as general practitioners usually outweigh the specialists when it comes to issuing sick leave.

“You would definitely see the general practitioners approving more sick leaves than a surgeon, an OBGYN, an ENT... and these sick periods will last for a longer term, for obvious reasons," he said. "I think if there is an issue with regards to the legitimacy of sick leaves, company managers or the authorities can seek recommendation from a second doctor to put these concerns to rest."

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