Return to work after a workplace-oriented intervention for patients on sick-leave for burnout--a prospective controlled study

Björn Karlson, Peter Jönsson, Birgitta Pålsson, Gunnel Abjörnsson, Birgitta Malmberg, Britt Larsson, Kai Osterberg, Björn Karlson, Peter Jönsson, Birgitta Pålsson, Gunnel Abjörnsson, Birgitta Malmberg, Britt Larsson, Kai Osterberg

Abstract

Background: In the present study the effect of a workplace-oriented intervention for persons on long-term sick leave for clinical burnout, aimed at facilitating return to work (RTW) by job-person match through patient-supervisor communication, was evaluated. We hypothesised that the intervention group would show a more successful RTW than a control group.

Methods: In a prospective controlled study, subjects were identified by the regional social insurance office 2-6 months after the first day on sick leave. The intervention group (n = 74) was compared to a control group who had declined participation, being matched by length of sick leave (n = 74). The RTW was followed up, using sick-listing register data, until 1.5 years after the time of intervention.

Results: There was a linear increase of RTW in the intervention group during the 1.5-year follow-up period, and 89% of subjects had returned to work to some extent at the end of the follow-up period. The increase in RTW in the control group came to a halt after six months, and only 73% had returned to work to some extent at the end of the 1.5-year follow-up.

Conclusions: We conclude that the present study demonstrated an improvement of long-term RTW after a workplace-oriented intervention for patients on long-term sick leave due to burnout.

Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials NCT01039168.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram showing the recruitment of intervention and control groups.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportions having returned to work on at least 25% during the study period. Graphs show the development of return to work, as proportions (percentages) of the intervention and control groups, from the time of the convergence dialogue meeting (CDM) until week 80.

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