Background:

Presenteeism, defined as working while ill, is a growing concern in healthcare, particularly among general practitioners (GPs) and family medicine providers. While presenteeism is known to negatively impact individual health, organizational productivity, and patient care, research specifically addressing its causes, consequences, and prevention in primary healthcare is scarce. This review aims to address this gap by synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying areas for further research.

Research questions:

What are the primary causes and consequences of presenteeism among healthcare providers, particularly in primary healthcare, and what strategies can be implemented to prevent it?

Method:

This narrative review synthesizes literature published after 2010, identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The focus is on healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on GPs and primary healthcare providers. Studies were selected based on relevance to personal, organizational, and structural factors contributing to presenteeism, as well as its individual, organizational, and societal consequences. Preventive strategies were also critically evaluated.

Results:

No studies specifically addressing presenteeism among GPs or primary healthcare providers were identified. Findings from general healthcare research indicate:
• Causes: Personal traits (e.g., over-commitment), high workloads, negative workplace climates, and financial insecurities.
• Consequences: Worsened health, reduced productivity, compromised patient safety, and increased strain on healthcare systems.
• Prevention Strategies: Promoting self-care, flexible scheduling, reducing bureaucracy, and expanding workplace health initiatives.

Conclusions:

Presenteeism in primary healthcare is underexplored, with current findings based on general healthcare research. Addressing presenteeism requires targeted interventions at individual, organizational, and societal levels. Further research is essential to understand its specific drivers among GPs across diverse healthcare systems and to develop tailored prevention strategies that improve provider well-being and patient care.

Points for discussion: