[Communication between treating physician and occupational physician in the management of absenteeism].

In case of an employee's absenteeism, both the treating physician and the company doctor possess relevant medical information. With a view to reducing absenteeism, exchange of data is considered important. Provision of data requires the consent of the patient/employee. If the latter is informed of the purpose for which the data are requested and of how they will be used, medical professional secrecy is not violated. In order to enhance the exchange of data between treating physician and company doctor, without bypassing the requirement of consent or cancelling the division between treatment and checking, the treating physician should be permitted to provide more information than just the data asked for in specific questions. This however requires the development of guidelines for careful consultation.