In Europe, any time he wanted to get this sick leave, he would need to go to a doctor every single time. That means multiple visits at a doctor every week. After a few weeks or months of being only available randomly, he would get fired from most jobs anyway (which happens regularly in Europe too, there is just a few more hoops to jump through).

While I agree with the thrust of your statement, he'd probably only need to go once a week at most.

On average I was going to three doctors a week. Mostly trying to find out what the heck was going on with me. Each outing would eat up all of my energy for a couple of days. I have nothing left for work family or generally life.

At a certain point I had to stop going to the doctor so I would be able to get enough hours in keep keep the house.

Apologies - I meant in order to stay on sick leave in Europe, not for diagnosis purposes.