Characteristics of self-reported daily life note (LN) users in return-to-work judgment for workers on sick leave due to mental health conditions, and usefulness of the tool

ObjectivesMental health conditions (MHC) have been associated with restrictions in daily life participation and functioning affecting health and well-being. Substantial numbers of people with MHC experience hospitalizations, however, there is limited evidence supporting functional interventions in the in-patient setting to promote recovery. The OC is an intervention implemented during sub-acute hospitalization, which attempts to promote activity and participation of people with MHC, both during the in-patient stay and upon return to the community, with a view to enabling recovery. To facilitate its implementation, we investigate the OC effectiveness.AimsInvestigate the OC contribution to cognition, symptoms and functional capacity among inpatients with schizophrenia.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental, prospective, pre/post-designed study with convenience sampling. Inpatients with schizophrenia were enrolled into the study group participating in the OC intervention (n = 16); or the control group participating in hospital treatment as usual (n = 17). The study participants completed evaluations at baseline and at discharge or after 10 weeks with: Neurocognitive State Examination, Trail Making Test, Ray Complex Figure, and Category Fluency Test for aspects of cognition; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for symptoms severity, and Observed Tasks of Daily Living-Revised for functional capacity.ResultsStatistically significant improvement in cognitive functioning, symptoms severity and functional capacity was found in the study group after the intervention. These changes were not observed in the control group.ConclusionThe results support the OC effectiveness for cognitive and functional capacity improvement and symptomology relief. The findings advance the body of evidence for functional interventions in hospital settings.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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“Dis-able bodied” or “dis-able minded”: stakeholders’ return-to-work experiences compared between physical and mental health conditions

Disability and Rehabilitation ◽

10.3109/09638288.2016.1172675 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (10) ◽

pp. 969-977 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Emmie Vossen ◽

Nicolette Van Gestel ◽

Beatrice I. J. M. Van der Heijden ◽

Etiënne A. J. A. Rouwette

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Work Experiences ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Conditions

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Do return to work interventions for workers with disabilities and health conditions achieve employment outcomes and are they cost effective? A systematic narrative review

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-01-2017-0023 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 999-1014 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Pauline Dibben ◽

Geoffrey Wood ◽

Rachel O’Hara

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Return To Work ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Employment Outcomes ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Content Type ◽

Musculoskeletal Conditions ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Lower Back

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate existing evidence on whether return to work interventions achieve employment outcomes and are cost effective in order to better inform those needing accommodations at work, as well as their line managers and trade union representatives, occupational health specialists and HR managers. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a systematic narrative review to evaluate the evidence on the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of return to work initiatives. Findings Evidence on interventions for musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back pain indicates that certain forms of intervention such as vocational rehabilitation and workplace-based rehabilitation facilitate outcomes such as employment, reduced sick leave and effective return to work. However, there is very little evidence on whether these interventions are cost effective. More generally there are glaring gaps in evidence on cardio-respiratory (heart and breathing) and mental health conditions with regard to both employment outcomes and the cost of interventions. Research limitations/implications This systematic review has critical and timely implications for both knowledge development and practice. While highlighting methodological limitations in the existing research base, it also presents avenues for further research on return work strategies and the factors inhibiting and facilitating their adoption and effective operation. Originality/value Although there is much existent literature on the return to work process, far less attention has been paid to the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of interventions. This paper highlights the interventions for musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back conditions that may result in positive employment outcomes, with implications for practice. However, it also highlights gaps in evidence on the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of interventions for cardio-respiratory (heart and breathing) and mental health conditions.

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