Assessing fitness for work: GPs judgment making.

Background: The complexity of a fitness for work consultation is well documented. General practitioners (GPs) find that such consultations often create conflict and they feel ill-prepared for the task.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the consultation process in the fitness for work consultation and to report on the response of GPs to two hypothetical consultations of work related sickness absence, one of a psychological and one of a physical nature.

'The sick note': a qualitative study of sickness certification in general practice in Ireland.

Background: Sickness certification is a common task undertaken by General Practitioners (GPs) in most developed countries. Research suggests that they find this task complex and difficult. Primary health care structures and sickness certification practices differ across Europe and little research explores GPs certifying practices in the Republic of Ireland.

Work-related sickness absence negotiations: GPs' qualitative perspectives.

Background: GPs can find their role as issuers of sickness certification problematic, particularly in trying to maintain a balance between certifying absence and preserving the doctor-patient relationship. Little research has been published on consultations in which sickness absence has been certified.

Aim: To explore negotiations between GPs and patients in sickness absence certification, including how occupational health training may affect this process.

Continuing professional development in occupational medicine for general practitioners.

Background: The Health and Occupation Reporting (THOR) network for general practitioners (GPs) offers free online continuing professional development (CPD) to contributing GPs. Use of this resource by members is relatively low. Non-uptake is most frequently attributed to lack of time.

Work-related ill health in general practice, as reported to a UK-wide surveillance scheme.

GPs with training in occupational medicine report cases of work-related ill health and sickness absence to The Health and Occupation Reporting network in General Practice (THOR-GP) using an online webform. This report describes the data reported in 2006 and 2007. GPs mainly reported musculoskeletal disorders and mental ill-health.

CPD for GPs using the THOR-GP website.

Background: An estimated 3200 UK general practitioners (GPs) practise occupational medicine on a sessional basis.

Aim: To assess the educational needs of GPs practising occupational medicine and participating in The Health and Occupational Reporting (THOR) network.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of GPs participating in a national reporting scheme, recording occupational ill-health from general practice (THOR-GP).