TY - JOUR T1 - Effectiveness of a return-to-work program for workers without an employment contract, sick-listed due to common mental disorders JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2016/6VL - 42 IS - 6 SP - 469 EP - 480 AU - Lammerts, Lieke AU - Schaafsma, Frederieke G AU - Bonefaas-Groenewoud, Karin AU - van Mechelen, Willem AU - Anema, Johannes R M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3588 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3588 KW - common mental disorder KW - employment contract KW - mental disorder KW - occupational healthcare KW - randomized controlled trial KW - RCT KW - return to work KW - return-to-work KW - RTW KW - sick leave KW - sickness absence KW - sickness absence KW - temporary employment KW - temporary worker KW - unemployment KW - vulnerable worker N2 - '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'Both the presence of mental health problems and the absence of an employment contract have been related to long-term sickness absence and unemployment, indicating a need for return-to-work (RTW) interventions. Our aim was to study the effectiveness of a new participatory, supportive RTW program for workers without an employment contract, sick-listed 2–14 weeks due to a common mental disorder, in comparison with usual care.

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METHODS ': 'A participatory approach, integrated care and direct placement in a competitive job were part of the new program. The primary outcome measure was duration until first sustainable RTW in competitive employment. Cox regression analysis was applied to study this outcome. Secondary outcome measures were average working hours, duration until any type of employment, sickness benefit duration, and perceived health and functioning.

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RESULTS ': 'In total, 186 participants were included in the study and randomly allocated to an intervention group (N=94), or control group (N= 92). A hazard ratio (HR) of 1.15 (95% CI 0.61–2.16) for duration until first sustainable RTW indicated no significant effect of allocation to the new program, compared to usual care. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in favor of the intervention group on any secondary outcome.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'Compared to usual care, the new program did not result in a significant shorter duration until first sustainable RTW. However, due to low protocol adherence, it remains unclear what the results would have been if the program had been executed according to protocol.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -