Dental practitioners and ill health retirement: a qualitative investigation into the causes and effects

Hill, K.B., Burke, F.J.T., Brown, J. , Macdonald, E.B. , Morris, A.J., White, D.A. and Murray, K. (2010) Dental practitioners and ill health retirement: a qualitative investigation into the causes and effects. British Dental Journal, 209(5), E8. (doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.814)

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Abstract

Introduction: Data published in 1999 from the Government Actuary on the National Health Service Pension Scheme (1989-1994) have indicated that the frequency of ill health premature retirement (IHR) was four times more prevalent among dentists at age 42 years compared with doctors.<p></p> Objective: The aim of this project was to determine the factors that contributed to IHR in dental practitioners, and the effects of IHR on their lives.<p></p> Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out during 2007. A topic list was developed, piloted and used to guide the interviewer. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the respondents from an insurance company database. A framework approach to data analysis was utilised.<p></p> Results: Twenty-three respondents were interviewed, 19 male and 4 female, aged between 39-59 years. Depression, stress and anxiety were reported by respondents to be major causes of their retirement, followed by musculoskeletal disease and premature disability caused by trauma. This is illustrated by the following: '...just went straight into general practice but with some regrets. Practice was so depressing' (GDS/NHS); 'I withdraw, I don't engage ... I found it more and more difficult and one morning... I collapsed in tears at the practice' (GDS/NHS). Dentists reported both negative and positive comments in relation to support received from their health insurance company.<p></p> Conclusions: The main causes of IHR were depression, musculoskeletal disease and specific skin conditions. Respondents expressed concern regarding the level of support available to dentists in distress. Respondents to this study found that continuing to work had a positive impact on their health.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacDonald, Professor Ewan and Brown, Dr Judith and Murray, Ms Kate Murray
Authors: Hill, K.B., Burke, F.J.T., Brown, J., Macdonald, E.B., Morris, A.J., White, D.A., and Murray, K.
Subjects:R Medicine > RK Dentistry
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:British Dental Journal
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:0007-0610
ISSN (Online):1476-5373
Published Online:11 September 2010

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