title: Sickness certification for mental health problems: an analysis of a general practice consultation database.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although mental illness remains the leading cause of both sickness absence and incapacity benefit in most high-income countries, little is known about how frequently patients with mental ill-health receive sickness certificates and what conditions are most commonly certified for. This study aims to use general practice consultation data to determine the rate of sickness certification for common mental health problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of a general practice consultation database rates of certification are presented for people consulting with a mental health problem, along with the proportion of these consultations in which a certificate was issued.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest rates of certification among those consulting with mental health problems occurred for depression, stress-related problems and bereavement. Almost two-thirds of the consultations for bereavement resulted in a sickness certificate being issued. At least one in three mental health consultations resulted in a sickness certificate being issued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consultation for mental health problems in primary care frequently results in the issuing of a sickness certificate. Further study is urgently needed to provide adequate support systems to enable patients to return to work whenever possible.
authors: Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK. c.d.mallen@cphc.keele.ac.uk
authors: Christian D
authors: CD
authors: Mallen
authors: Gwenllian
authors: G
authors: Wynne-Jones
authors: Kate M
authors: KM
authors: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018582:Sick Leave; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult