Two-thirds of Irish doctors surveyed do not take sick leave if mentally unwell

Some 50% of Irish doctors surveyed felt not taking sick leave may have meant delivering a lower standard of patient care while 19% said their failure to take time off could have led to missed or incorrect diagnoses. iStock

Almost two thirds of doctors working in Ireland did not take sick leave for serious mental ill-health, with 19% fearing this may have led to missed or incorrect diagnosis, a “worrying” survey shows.

Some 50% of doctors felt not taking sick leave may have meant delivering a lower standard of patient care.