Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to report on sickness certification practices within the French national health insurance system with a view to drafting an AcBUS agreement (healthcare best practice agreement). The report included: - a review of the current sickness certification system; - proposals to improve the issuing of sickness certificates, drawn from a qualitative study.

Authors' recommendations: Because there are no published data or reference criteria, the first step was to draw up improvement proposals by consensus. Six proposals were made: - Have the relevant learned societies define a range of possible sick leave durations for certain diseases; - Improve the training of doctors by introducing a module on sickness certification into basic medical training, and offering the subject as part of continuing education; - Develop and encourage communication between professionals; - Draw up a treatment plan and encourage multidisciplinary management for patients whose sick leave lasts more than 3 weeks or is extended beyond 3 weeks; - Facilitate management by using teletransmission of sickness certificates and by modifying sick leave notification forms; - Use targeted campaigns to raise awareness among those involved. To be usable, each of these proposals now needs to be translated into more concrete and practical terms with the help of all professionals concerned.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.has-sante.fr/

Year Published: 2004

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: France

Organisation Name: L'Agence Nationale d'Accreditation d'Evaluation en Santé

Contact Address: 2 avenue du Stade de France, 93218 Saint-Denis La Plaine Cedex, France. Tel: +33 01 55 93 71 88; Fax: +33 01 55 93 74 35;

Contact Name: sh.leerobin@has-sante.fr

Contact Email: sh.leerobin@has-sante.fr

Copyright: L'Agence Nationale d'Accreditation d'Evaluation en Sante (ANAES)