A study to investigate osteopaths’ attitudes about fitness to work issues and the use of sickness or incapacity certificates

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Napier Alistair. n.d. “A Study to Investigate osteopaths’ Attitudes about Fitness to Work Issues and the Use of Sickness or Incapacity Certificates.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed December 16, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1752

Title: A study to investigate osteopaths’ attitudes about fitness to work issues and the use of sickness or incapacity certificates
Title: A study to investigate osteopaths’ attitudes about fitness to work issues and the use of sickness or incapacity certificates
Author(s): Napier Alistair
Abstract: Background: The direct and indirect consequences of lower back pain (LBP) are a significant cost to society. In 2010 the NHS introduced ‘fit notes’, which only doctors can issue, to improve return to work (RTW). Objectives: To investigate osteopaths’ attitudes about fitness to work (FTW) issues and the use of sickness or incapacity certificates. To investigate whether osteopaths, as musculo-skeletal experts are better suited to issue fit notes and how this might transpire. Methods: A web based questionnaire to 300 randomly selected osteopathic professionals eliciting quantitative and qualitative data. Results: 61 responses were received, a 20% response rate. 85% of respondents advise patients on FTW issues, primarily issuing GoSC certificates for LBP and neck pain. 80% of respondents agree they should be able to provide official fit notes. Conclusions: Issue of fit notes by osteopaths would be extremely beneficial, but a number of matters must be resolved for this to occur.
Abstract: Background: The direct and indirect consequences of lower back pain (LBP) are a significant cost to society. In 2010 the NHS introduced ‘fit notes’, which only doctors can issue, to improve return to work (RTW). Objectives: To investigate osteopaths’ attitudes about fitness to work (FTW) issues and the use of sickness or incapacity certificates. To investigate whether osteopaths, as musculo-skeletal experts are better suited to issue fit notes and how this might transpire. Methods: A web based questionnaire to 300 randomly selected osteopathic professionals eliciting quantitative and qualitative data. Results: 61 responses were received, a 20% response rate. 85% of respondents advise patients on FTW issues, primarily issuing GoSC certificates for LBP and neck pain. 80% of respondents agree they should be able to provide official fit notes. Conclusions: Issue of fit notes by osteopaths would be extremely beneficial, but a number of matters must be resolved for this to occur.
presented at: British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted: 2011
Date Submitted: 3.2.2012 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Pub-Identifier: 15086
Inst-Identifier: 780
Keywords: Osteopaths, fit notes, sickness certificates, incapacity certification, fitness to work, lower back pain, return-to-work
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis