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. 2019 Sep 5;8:149. doi: 10.1186/s13756-019-0602-7

Table 2.

Reasons for Coming into Work or Remaining at Home when Feeling Sick

Agree or Strongly Agree P-Value
Totals Students Residents Faculty
When feeling sick with what might be an infectious condition …
 I would come into work to avoid creating more work for my colleagues (i.e., to avoid hassles related to coverage issues and letting my team down). 83% 83% 100% 71% 0.03
 I would come into work to avoid negative repercussions (e.g., reprimand, disapproval). 60% 71% 84% 25% < 0.001
 I would come into work to avoid being seen as lazy or weak. 67% 75% 89% 40% < 0.001
 I feel a professional obligation to come into work no matter what. 31% 34% 42% 19% 0.16
When feeling sick with what might be an infectious condition, physicians have a professional responsibility to …
 Remain at home if they may not be able to function well because of their illness. 71% 67% 68% 81% 0.34
 Remain at home to avoid spreading the illness to their patients. 81% 79% 74% 89% 0.32
 Remain at home to limit spread of the illness to immuno-compromised patients. 78% 80% 78% 75% 0.82
 Remain at home to avoid spreading the illness to their colleagues. 75% 73% 63% 83% 0.24
 Come into work if they can use precautions to avoid spreading their illness (i.e. mask, gloves, etc.). 73% 76% 68% 69% 0.68