Getting the Best from the Fit Note

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Getting the Best from the Fit Note

• IRAS ID

  121973

• Contact name

  Avril Drummond

• Contact email

  avril.drummond@nottingham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Nottingham

• Research summary

  The GP Statement of Fitness for Work – the ‘fit note’- was introduced in 2010 to replace the sickness certificate and to encourage GPs to focus on what a patient is able to do at work. Although the fit note has been broadly welcomed by GPs and employers as a way of supporting return to work in those with health problems, difficulties and uncertainties have resulted in wide variations in use. No systematic approach to evaluate the fit note from the perspective of all stakeholders has yet been conducted.

  This study aims to:
  1. Reach a consensus on the content of the ideal fit note from the perspective of employers, employees and GPs, in order to facilitate return-to-work and work retention.
  2. Produce recommendations for good practice in the completion, timing, transmission and application of fit notes.
  3. Identify acceptable methods of facilitating dialogue between the stakeholders.
  4. Develop specific training for employers and GPs in the effective use of fit notes.

  The study will be in 2 parts:

  Part 1) Questionnaires and interviews with patients who have been issued with fit notes, to investigate:

  i) Opinions on the usefulness and acceptability of fit notes.
  ii) Perceived optimum content, timing and transmission of a fit note required to facilitate retention in, or return to work.
  iii) Views on the need to facilitate dialogue between employees, employers and GPs and how this might be best achieved.

  Part 2) Questionnaires and interviews conducted with GPs:
  GPs will be asked to complete a questionnaire to rate the usefulness and outcome of a sample of fit notes that they have recently issued.
  Interviews will cover the topics covered with patients above, in addition to the GPs’ views regarding the training needs of employers and GPs in effective fit note completion and delivery, including the potential for joint training.

  This is the first phase of a 20 month study.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/EM/0186

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 May 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion