Antecedents and associations of sickness presenteeism and sickness absenteeism in nurses: A systematic review.

AIMS: This study comprehensively analysed and systemized the elements associated with nursing sickness presenteeism (SP) and sickness absenteeism (SA).

BACKGROUND

Both behaviours represent a real challenge to nursing departments because they can increase costs, cause health care adverse events, and impact the quality of health care.

DESIGN

The systematic review of cohort studies was designed to be consistent with the PRISMA guidelines.

DATA SOURCES: PubMed, ProQuest, and Emerald were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles published from the 1950s to December 2016.

REVIEW

METHODS

Cohort studies were included (12 SA and 1 SP) in the review if they examined the association between one or more exposures and SP and/or SA in nurses. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-three antecedents were associated with SA and grouped as work and organizational, mental and physical health, and demographic; 3 antecedents were associated with SP (job demands, burnout, and exhaustion). Exhaustion (fatigue) and job demands were associated with SA and SP. Depersonalization was an outcome of SP over time.

CONCLUSION

The ability to predict presenteeism and absenteeism in nursing is useful to constrain costs and ensure that quality care is delivered.