Abstract
The author deals with temporary incapacity, as currently expressed by "sick leave." Minor psychiatric problems are involved more and more as a cause of temporary incapacity, and sometimes the duration of such leaves of absence is much longer than might be warranted by the nature of the problem. Challenges by paying agents and employers are more and more frequent. On the basis of literature of a very general nature the author distinguishes between a difficult personal situation, a symptom, an illness, functional limitations and invalidity, the last one being at the crossroads between medical, personal and social reasons. The author emphasizes the particular difficulties experienced by physicians faced with that kind of problem and describes the rapid intervention needed to deal with the underlying reasons for an obvious request for a leave of absence.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Anthony W. A., Jansen M. A. Predicting the vocational capacity of the chronically mentally ill. Research and policy implications. Am Psychol. 1984 May;39(5):537–544. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.39.5.537. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brodsky C. M. Psychological factors contributing to somatoform diseases attributed to the workplace. The case of intoxication. J Occup Med. 1983 Jun;25(6):459–464. doi: 10.1097/00043764-198306000-00011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- HIRSCHFELD A. H., BEHAN R. C. THE ACCIDENT PROCESS. I. ETIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL INJURIES. JAMA. 1963 Oct 19;186:193–199. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03710030033005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hirschfeld A. H., Behan R. C. The accident process. 3. Disability: acceptable and unacceptable. JAMA. 1966 Jul 11;197(2):85–89. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Larson D. L., Spreitzer E. A. The disabled role, affluence, and the meaning of work. J Rehabil. 1970 Jul-Aug;36(4):29–32. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ludwig A. M. The disabled society? Am J Psychother. 1981 Jan;35(1):5–15. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1981.35.1.5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MECHANIC D. The concept of illness behavior. J Chronic Dis. 1962 Feb;15:189–194. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(62)90068-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Monday J., Therrien S., Duguay M., Lapierre G. Le médecin face aux certificats d'invalidité: attitudes et comportements préconisés. Can J Psychiatry. 1988 Oct;33(7):599–605. doi: 10.1177/070674378803300705. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Weinstein M. R. The illness process. Psychosocial hazards of disability programs. JAMA. 1968 Apr 15;204(3):209–213. doi: 10.1001/jama.204.3.209. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]