Abstract

Certificates of inability or fitness to work were issued on 6,161 occasions in one year in one group practice. Half the episodes of illness lasted for seven days or less, and two thirds of the episodes ended on a Sunday. Clearly in most cases the doctor does no more than countersign the patient's declaration of his fitness or not to work. Abolition of short-term medical certification would probably have little effect on absenteeism or the sums paid out as sick benefit.