Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). Chapter 10. Sickness presence

Scand J Public Health Suppl. 2004:63:216-21. doi: 10.1080/14034950410021907.

Abstract

The term "sickness presence" is used to describe situations where the ability to work is impaired due to disease, but yet the person goes to work. A problem is that the term "sickness presence" implies that being present at work is something exceptional if a person is sick. Most people diagnosed with a disease or disorder do, however, go to work and are not sick listed. Furthermore, the term "sickness presence" is rather diffuse, and it would be beneficial if one or several more specific terms could be used. The current body of scientific literature does not provide sufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the consequences of sickness presence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cost of Illness
  • Efficiency*
  • Employer Health Costs
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Occupational Health*
  • Psychology, Industrial
  • Sick Leave
  • Sick Role*
  • Workplace*