Effectiveness of a Coordinated and Tailored Return-to-Work Intervention for Sickness Absence Beneficiaries with Mental Health Problems

AimTo report the types and duration of sickness certification for different common mental disorders (CMDs) and the prevalence of GP advice aimed at returning the patient to work.BackgroundIn the United Kingdom, common mental health problems, such and depression and stress, have become the main reasons for patients requesting a sickness certificate to abstain from usual employment. Increasing attention is being paid to mental health and its impact on employability and work capacity in all parts of the welfare system. However, relatively little is known about the extent to which different mental health diagnoses impact upon sickness certification outcomes, and how the GP has used the new fit note (introduced in 2010) to support a return to work for patients with mental health diagnoses.MethodsSickness certification data was collected from 68 UK-based general practices for a period of 12 months.FindingsThe study found a large part of all sickness absence certified by GPs was due to CMDs (29% of all sickness absence episodes). Females, younger patients and those living in deprived areas were more likely to receive a fit note for a CMD (compared with one for a physical health problem). The highest proportion of CMD fit notes were issued for ‘stress’. However, sickness certification for depression contributed nearly half of all weeks certified for mental health problems. Only 7% of CMD fit notes included any ‘may be fit’ advice from the GP, with type of advice varying by mental health diagnostic category. Patients living in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods were less likely to receive ‘may be fit’ advice on their CMD fit notes.

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Stability of return to work after a coordinated and tailored intervention for sickness absence compensation beneficiaries with mental health problems: results of a two-year follow-up study

Disability and Rehabilitation ◽

10.3109/09638288.2014.1001524 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (22) ◽

pp. 2107-2113 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Marie H. T. Martin ◽

Maj Britt D. Nielsen ◽

Jacob Pedersen ◽

Reiner Rugulies

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Tailored Intervention ◽

Follow Up Study

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Identifying return to work trajectories among employees on sick leave due to mental health problems using latent class transition analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e032016

Author(s):

Maitta Spronken ◽

Evelien P M Brouwers ◽

Jeroen K Vermunt ◽

Iris Arends ◽

Wido G M Oerlemans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Return To Work ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Latent Class ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Large Individual ◽

Work Characteristics ◽

Transition Analysis

ObjectivesTo develop effective return to work (RTW) interventions for employees on sick leave due to mental health problems (MHPs), a better understanding of individual variation in the RTW process is needed. We investigated which RTW trajectories can be identified among employees with MHPs in terms of RTW duration and relapse occurrence during the RTW process. Additionally, we examined how different RTW trajectories can be described in terms of personal and work characteristics.MethodsLongitudinal sickness absence registry data were collected retrospectively from the largest Dutch occupational health service. Quantitative RTW information as well as personal and work characteristics were extracted. In total, 9517 employees with a sickness absence due to MHPs were included in the analyses (62 938 data points; RTW durations from 29 to 730 days).ResultsA latent class transition analysis revealed five distinct RTW trajectories, namely (1) fast RTW with little chance of relapse, (2) slow RTW with little chance of relapse, (3) fast RTW with considerable chance of relapse, (4) slow RTW with considerable chance of relapse and (5) very fast RTW with very small chance of relapse. Differences between employees in the slower and faster trajectories were observed regarding gender, age, type of MHP, organisation sector and organisation size but not regarding part-time work.ConclusionsRTW trajectories among employees with MHPs showed large individual variability and differed on personal and work characteristics. Knowledge on different RTW trajectories and their characteristics contributes to the development of personalised RTW treatments, tailored to specific individuals and organisations.

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Implementation of a Coordinated and Tailored Return-to-Work Intervention for Employees with Mental Health Problems

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation ◽

10.1007/s10926-011-9352-y ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 427-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Marie H. T. Martin ◽

Maj Britt D. Nielsen ◽

Signe M. A. Petersen ◽

Louise M. Jakobsen ◽

Reiner Rugulies

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Work Intervention

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Changes in rehabilitation actors’ mental health literacy and support to employers: An evaluation of the SEAM intervention

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-213535 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Annika Lexén ◽

Maria Emmelin ◽

Lars Hansson ◽

Bengt Svensson ◽

Susann Porter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Service Users ◽

Rehabilitation Professionals ◽

Knowledge And Beliefs ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training (T3) using knowledge and attitude scales and a questionnaire on supporting behaviors. SEAM includes training in Mental Health First Aid, presentations and discussions on current research on work and mental health, and strategies and communication guidelines to use when meeting service users and employers as part of the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems. SEAM also includes a homepage with targeted employer information. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: SEAM significantly increased rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge of mental health (T1-T2: z = –2.037, p = 0.042; T2-T3: z = –5.093, p = 0.001), and improved their attitudes towards persons with mental health problems (T1-T2: z = 4.984, p = 0.001). Professionals (50–60%) also estimated that they had increased their use of supporting strategies towards service users and employers. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that SEAM can increase mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and lead to a greater focus on service users’ resources and work ability, as well as on employers’ support needs.

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