08 Mar Workers Without Paid Sick Leave Delay Seeking Medical Care
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. LeaAnne DeRigne
Dr. LeaAnne DeRigne MSW Ph.D.
FAU School of Social Work
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. DeRigne: 49 million U.S. employees work without paid sick leave, causing an even greater divide in health care disparities as well as undesirable health care outcomes. This study examined the relationship between paid sick leave benefits and delays in medical care and forgone medical care for both working adults and their family members. We also analyzed the risk of emergency department use and the risk of missing work because of illness or injury by paid sick leave status, as well as the interaction effects between paid sick leave and family income and health insurance.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. DeRigne: Health system policies, which support expanded access to affordable after-hours and weekend health services, should also be considered so that those without paid sick leave are able to get preventive and routine treatment in nonemergency settings. Similarly, policy makers should also consider expanded access to health clinics in schools and work settings and the use of telemedicine appointments that could occur while at work or school. When workers report cost as the reason for delayed or no receipt of medical care, they are often counting the indirect costs, which include loss of wages in addition to the cost of the care itself. Being able to seek health care services after work hours would reduce the loss of wages.
MedicalResearch.com: What future research do you recommend as a result of this study?
Dr. DeRigne: We have already completed work on two additional papers (with co-author Christopher Mallett), one which reviews lack of paid sick leave as a risk factor for welfare use, and another which details the relationship between paid sick leave benefits and health care costs, the ability to pay medical bills, and the ability to pay for prescription medication, dental care, and eyeglasses and the ability to get flu shots and other immunizations.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. DeRigne: We have already completed work on two additional papers (with co-author Christopher Mallett), one which reviews lack of paid sick leave as a risk factor for welfare use, and another which details the relationship between paid sick leave benefits and health care costs, the ability to pay medical bills, and the ability to pay for prescription medication, dental care, and eyeglasses and the ability to get flu shots and other immunizations.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Workers Without Paid Sick Leave Less Likely To Take Time Off For Illness Or Injury Compared To Those With Paid Sick Leave
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Health Aff March 2016 35:3520–527; doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0965
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Dr. LeaAnne DeRigne MSW Ph.D. (2016). Workers Without Paid Sick Leave Delay Seeking Medical Care
Last Updated on March 8, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD