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Zanaboni P, Bergmo TS, Kristiansen E. Patients' experiences with receiving sick leave certificates via remote consultations in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide online survey. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e075352. [PMID: 38272547 PMCID: PMC10824015 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore patients' experiences with receiving sick leave certificates via remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate whether there were differences among the types of remote consultation (telephone, video or text). DESIGN A nationwide online patient survey consisting of quantitative data supplemented by qualitative opinions conducted in Norway. SETTING Primary care. PARTICIPANTS Patients who received a sick leave certificate via remote consultation in the period from 16 November to 15 December 2020. RESULTS Of the 5429 respondents, 3233 (59.6%) received a sick leave certificate via telephone consultation, 657 (12.1%) via video consultation and 1539 (28.3%) via text-based e-consultation. Most respondents (76.8%) were satisfied. Only 10% of the respondents thought that the doctor would have obtained more information through an office appointment. The majority of the respondents (59.6%) found that they had as much time to explain the problem as at an office appointment. Some patients also thought that it was easier to formulate the problem via a remote consultation (18.2%) and agree with the doctor on the sick leave (10.3%).The users of text-based e-consultations were the most satisfied (79.3%, p<0.001) compared with those using telephone or video consultations. Among users of text-based e-consultations, there was a higher proportion of patients who thought that they had more time to explain the problem compared with an office appointment (p<0.001), it was easier to explain the problem (p<0.001) and agree with the doctor (p<0.001). Most respondents would use the same type of remote consultation if they were to contact the general practitioner (GP) for the same problem, with the highest proportion among the users of video consultations (62.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients were satisfied with communicating and receiving sick leave certificates via remote consultations. Future studies should investigate patients' and GPs' use and experiences in a postpandemic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Zanaboni
- University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
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Löfgren M, Rembeck G, Hange D, Björkelund C, Svenningsson I, Nordeman L. Promoting health literacy and sense of coherence in primary care patients with long-term impaired work ability-a pilot study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:481-490. [PMID: 36622201 PMCID: PMC9848260 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2159191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evaluate feasibility, partnerships, and study design of intervention to minimise sick leave. DESIGN AND SETTING The design was a pilot single arm intervention study in primary health care. Outcome measures at follow-ups for each participant were compared with baseline data for the same person. SUBJECTS Twenty primary health care patients with recurrent or long-term sick leave or health-related unemployment. INTERVENTION Patient education through interactive study groups that met half a day a week for eight subsequent weeks. Groups were led by experienced but not medically trained facilitators. The intervention was designed to improve participant health literacy, sense of coherence, health-related quality of life, and patient involvement in healthcare. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was the level of sick leave. Sick leave data were obtained from medical records when available, otherwise patient reported. Secondary outcomes regarding health literacy, sense of coherence, and health-related quality of life were measured with validated questionnaires at baseline and follow-ups. RESULTS Level of sick leave decreased significantly and participation in work preparatory activities increased during follow-up. Health literacy, sense of coherence (subscale sense of meaningfulness), and health-related quality of life (subscale social functioning) showed statistically significant improvement. Intervention, partnerships, and study design were feasible. CONCLUSION An educational programme, conducted in cooperation between primary health care and partners outside the healthcare system, was feasible and showed an impact on sick leave, health literacy, sense of coherence, and health-related quality of life.KEY FINDINGSA pilot study to evaluate an educational programme with study groups conducted in cooperation between primary health care and partners outside the healthcare system showed good feasibility.Sick leave decreased significantly six months after baseline.Health literacy, sense of coherence (subscale sense of meaningfulness), and health-related quality of life (subscale social function) improved significantly 6 months after baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Märit Löfgren
- Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Primary Health Care, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- CONTACT Märit Löfgren Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Box 453, Gothenburg, 40530, Sweden
| | - Gun Rembeck
- Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Primary Health Care, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Regional Health, Borås Youth Guidance Center, Borås, Sweden
| | - Dominique Hange
- Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Primary Health Care, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Center Skaraborg, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Björkelund
- Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Irene Svenningsson
- Primary Health Care, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Primary Health Care, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Center Fyrbodal, Vänersborg, Sweden
| | - Lena Nordeman
- Region Västra Götaland, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Primary Health Care, Research, Education, Development & Innovation Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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