Presenteeism Among General Practitioners – A Study Proposal

Lisa Voggenberger, Erika Zelko, Marija Petek Šter

Keywords: presenteeism

Background:

Presenteeism, the practice of working while sick, is a prevalent issue among general practitioners (GPs) and medical doctors, with various factors contributing to this behavior. Lifestyle, occupational health, and work-related factors such as poor health, work-life balance, and psychological distress have been identified as key drivers of presenteeism in GPs. Gender differences also play a role, with women more likely to report presenteeism due to concerns for others and workload, while men are more likely to cite capacity and financial reasons. Fear of overburdening colleagues, a sense of duty, and economic impact are additional factors contributing to presenteeism in physicians. The implications of presenteeism include risks to patient safety and the hidden curriculum in medical training, representing substantial economic costs. Strategies are needed to reduce presenteeism and promote health-saving behavior among GPs.

Research questions:

1. What are the main factors contributing to presenteeism among general practitioners in different geographical areas and settings?
2. What are the attitudes and beliefs of general practitioners towards presenteeism, and how do these impact their behavior?
3. How can strategies be developed to reduce presenteeism and promote health-saving behavior among general practitioners?

Method:

This study will utilize qualitative research techniques:
In-depth interviews: Conduct semi-structured interviews with GPs from diverse geographical areas and settings to explore their experiences and perspectives on presenteeism.
Sample: 5-15 GPs per country, controlled for equal representation of male and female participants, and balanced for years of experience.
Coordination: Each participating country will have one coordinator responsible for conducting interviews via Zoom in the participants’ native language.
Data Analysis: Use thematic analysis to identify common patterns and unique insights. A consortium of coordinators from all participating countries will collaborate on the final analysis.
Based on the results, develop targeted interventions and policy recommendations to reduce presenteeism.

Results:

Data collection and analysis are pending.

Conclusions:

TBD

Points for discussion:

Potential collaborators for this study.

Additional aspects or factors to consider.

Personal experiences with presenteeism, if willing to share.

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