Encounter patterns and worker absenteeism/presenteeism among healthcare providers in Thailand

•We examined number of encounters made by healthcare providers in inpatient wards.•Wards were stratified by risk of respiratory virus transmission.•A median encounter duration was two minutes. Difference in encounter patterns by ward type was observed.•About one in five work shifts were staffed by HCPs with acute muscle pain and/or respiratory symptoms who continued to work while ill.•The encounter episodes were highest among physicians working working during the 8-hour evening shift in high-risk wards.