Factors related to sickness absenteeism in paramedical professions in the Maltese general hospital.

Abstract

This study gives a comprehensive picture of sickness absence rates in three paramedical departments; physiotherapists, radiographers and medical laboratory scientists (MLS), in the Maltese General Hospital. The research was carried out retrospectively in 2007 for sickness absence availed of in the year 2006. The population consisted of 177 employees, working on a day basis and had been performing duties at least since January 2006. The number of employees in the Physiotherapy, Radiography and Pathology (Medical Laboratory Scientists) departments was 23, 68, and 86 respectively. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected from a questionnaire and interviews were conducted with departmental managers. Sickness absence data was also collected from the personnel department. The mean absence rate for the general population, obtained from the personnel department data was found to be 6.5 days. In all departments, respiratory disorder was the major reason for sickness absence. Statistical significant difference was found in the number of availed sick leave days between the three different departments, with the physiotherapy department availing of the highest amount of sick leave days, this being 7.4 days. Statistical significant difference was also found between the absence leave taken on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the whole population. With respect to demographic data no statistical significance was found in age, marital status, gender, and employment status when analysed with attitudinal index, short-term and long-term absence and total number of absence spells. The low absence rate indicates a low level of abuse, although the high percentage of short - term absence spells could indicate some degree of voluntary abuse. Low level of abuse is probably due to good interaction between managers and employee, good job satisfaction and adequate family-friendly measures.