The issue of "long-term" fit notes for depression in the UK: patient, GP and general practice variation.

BACKGROUND: Depression is an important cause of certified sickness absence in the UK. It is not known what factors are associated with variation in length of sickness certificates issued by the GP to the depressed patient.

AIMS: The purpose of the study was to identify patient, GP and practice factors associated with the issue of a long-term (> 4 week) fit note for depression.

METHODS: Sixty-eight UK general practices collected sickness certification data for 12 months.

RESULTS: Over 35% of 8127 fit notes issued to 3361 patients for depression were classed as long-term (over four weeks in duration). Having previous fit notes for depression, not having "may be fit" advice on the fit note, older patient age, the patient living in a deprived neighbourhood and a higher practice deprivation status were all significant predictors of a long-term fit note. Depression fit notes issued by female GPs to female patients were less likely to be long-term. Other GP factors were not significant predictors of a long-term depression note.

CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the number of long-term sickness certificates issued to people with depression should be considered part of return-to work and job retention strategies.