The Sick Leave Process : Sick Leave Guidelines, Sickness Certificates, and Experiences of Professionals

Decisions on entitlement to sickness benefits and return to work interventions have substantial impact on individuals’ lives and on society. In most Western European countries, such decisions are based on sickness certificates, which should provide information on how a disease or injury reduces the individual’s work ability. These are challenging and complex assessments. In 2008, guidelines for the management of sick leave were implemented in Sweden, emphasizing early assessments of work ability and return to work, and increasing the quality demands of sickness certificates by underscoring descriptions of activity limitations related to work. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a deeper knowledge of the sick leave process with special emphasis on the content of sickness certificates and primary health care (PHC) professionals’ experiences with the process. Specific aims were to compare the quality of sickness certificates regarding descriptions of functioning by the use of WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, disability, and health (ICF), as well as the prescribed interventions before versus after implementation of the Swedish sick leave guidelines. The thesis comprises three studies. A cross-sectional design was used in studies I and II, which included 475 and 501 new sickness certificates consecutively collected in Östergötland County, Sweden, in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Text on functioning was analysed with a deductive content analysis using the ICF. Study III was an exploratory study using data from four semi-structured focus group discussions with a purposeful sample of PHC professionals (n=18) in Östergötland County. An inductive content analysis was used in this study. The thesis comprises three studies. A cross-sectional design was used in studies I and II, which included 475 and 501 new sickness certificates consecutively collected in Östergötland County, Sweden, in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Text on functioning was analysed with a deductive content analysis using the ICF. Study III was an exploratory study using data from four semi-structured focus group discussions with a purposeful sample of PHC professionals (n=18) in Östergötland County. An inductive content analysis was used in this study. An overall conclusion drawn from this thesis is that patient functioning and needs might not be adequately communicated in the sick leave process. Despite the implementation of sick leave guidelines, this information is limited in sickness certificates and the collaboration is poor among the involved stakeholders, i.e., health care, the social insurance office, the employer and the OHS. The basis for decisions on entitlement to sickness benefits could be improved by including a description of the patients’ activity limitations or participation restrictions related to work demands. One way to enhance the decision basis might be to use the available team competencies at the PHC

Sickness certificates in Sweden : did the new guidelines improve their quality?

Background: Long-term sickness absence is high in many Western countries. In Sweden and many other countries, decisions on entitlement to sickness benefits and return to work measures are based on information provided by physicians in sickness certificates. The quality demands, as stressed by the Swedish sick leave guidelines from 2008, included accurate sickness certificates with assessment of functioning clearly documented. This study aims to compare quality of sickness certificates between 2007 and 2009 in Ostergotland County, Sweden. Quality is defined in terms of descriptions of functioning with the use of activity and participation according to WHOs International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and in prescriptions of early rehabilitation. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: During two weeks in 2007 and four weeks in 2009, all certificates had been collected upon arrival to the social insurance office in Ostergotland County, Sweden. Four hundred seventy-five new certificates were included in 2007 and 501 in 2009. Prolongations of sick leave were included until the last date of sick listing. Free text on functioning was analysed deductively using the ICF framework, and placed into categories (body functions/structures, activity, participation, no description) for statistical analysis. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: The majority of the certificates were issued for musculoskeletal diseases or mental disorders. Text on functioning could be classified into the components of ICF in 65% and 78% of sickness certificates issued in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Descriptions according to body components such as "sensations of pain" or "emotional functions" were given in 58% of the certificates from 2007 and in 65% from 2009. The activity component, for example "walking" or "handling stress", was more frequent in certificates issued in 2009 compared with 2007 (33% versus 26%). Prescriptions of early rehabilitation increased from 27% in 2007 to 35% in 2009, primarily due to more counseling. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: An improvement of the quality between certificates collected in 2007 and 2009 was demonstrated in Ostergotland County, Sweden. The certificates from 2009 provided more information linkable to ICF and incorporated an increased use of activity limitations when describing patients functioning. Still, activity limitations and prescriptions of early rehabilitation were only present in one-third of the sickness certificates.Funding Agencies|National Social Insurance Administration||County Council in Ostergotland, Sweden|IHS 7/0728|</p

Sickness certificates in Sweden : did the new guidelines improve their quality?

Background: Long-term sickness absence is high in many Western countries. In Sweden and many other countries, decisions on entitlement to sickness benefits and return to work measures are based on information provided by physicians in sickness certificates. The quality demands, as stressed by the Swedish sick leave guidelines from 2008, included accurate sickness certificates with assessment of functioning clearly documented. This study aims to compare quality of sickness certificates between 2007 and 2009 in Ostergotland County, Sweden. Quality is defined in terms of descriptions of functioning with the use of activity and participation according to WHOs International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and in prescriptions of early rehabilitation. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: During two weeks in 2007 and four weeks in 2009, all certificates had been collected upon arrival to the social insurance office in Ostergotland County, Sweden. Four hundred seventy-five new certificates were included in 2007 and 501 in 2009. Prolongations of sick leave were included until the last date of sick listing. Free text on functioning was analysed deductively using the ICF framework, and placed into categories (body functions/structures, activity, participation, no description) for statistical analysis. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: The majority of the certificates were issued for musculoskeletal diseases or mental disorders. Text on functioning could be classified into the components of ICF in 65% and 78% of sickness certificates issued in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Descriptions according to body components such as "sensations of pain" or "emotional functions" were given in 58% of the certificates from 2007 and in 65% from 2009. The activity component, for example "walking" or "handling stress", was more frequent in certificates issued in 2009 compared with 2007 (33% versus 26%). Prescriptions of early rehabilitation increased from 27% in 2007 to 35% in 2009, primarily due to more counseling. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: An improvement of the quality between certificates collected in 2007 and 2009 was demonstrated in Ostergotland County, Sweden. The certificates from 2009 provided more information linkable to ICF and incorporated an increased use of activity limitations when describing patients functioning. Still, activity limitations and prescriptions of early rehabilitation were only present in one-third of the sickness certificates.Funding Agencies|National Social Insurance Administration||County Council in Ostergotland, Sweden|IHS 7/0728|</p

Sickness certificates : what information do they provide about rehabilitation?

Purpose: To investigate whether patients are prescribed rehabilitation early in a new sick leave period, and whether this prescription is associated with age, sex, diagnosis, description of functioning, and affiliation of certifying physician. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from sickness certificates issued during a total sick leave period, collected consecutively during 2 weeks in 2007 in Östergötland County, Sweden. Rehabilitation prescribed in the first certificate or within 28 days after the start of sick leave was defined as early rehabilitation. Results: Musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) were the largest diagnostic group, followed by mental disorders (MD). The mean certified duration of sick leave was 94 days (SD 139), longest for MD patients. Early rehabilitation was prescribed in 27% of all certificates and in 45% of certificates for MSD and MD diagnoses. Logistic regression analysis indicated that prescription of early rehabilitation was associated with certificates issued for MSD and MD, youngest patients, and certificates issued by primary health care physicians. The final model explained 29% of variation in the prescription of early rehabilitation. Conclusion: There is a modest prescription of early rehabilitation in sickness certificates, based on younger age and MSD or MD diagnosis. This indicates that patients’ rehabilitation needs may not have been identified

A systematic review of work interventions to promote safe patient handling and movement in the healthcare sector

Objectives. The aim of this systematic review was to describe interventions which promote safe patient handling and movement (PHM) among workers in healthcare by reviewing the literature on their effectiveness for work and health-related outcomes. Methods. Databases were searched for studies published during 1997-2018. Measures were operationalized broadly, capturing outcomes of work and health. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies with a control group were included. Quality was assessed using evidence-based checklists by the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services. Results. The systematic review included 10 RCTs and 19 cohort studies. Providing work equipment and training workers is effective: it can increase usage. Training workers to be peer coaches is associated with fewer injuries. Other effective strategies are participatory ergonomics and management engagement in collaboration with workers, facilitating safe PHM. Conclusions. This systematic review suggests that interventions for safe PHM with an impact of health-related outcomes should include access to work equipment, training as well as employer and employee engagement. The additional impact of multifaceted interventions is inconclusive.Funding Agencies|Swedish Work Environment Authority</p

Implementation of a Health Promotion Practice Using Individually Targeted Lifestyle Interventions in Primary Health Care : Protocol for the "Act in Time" Mixed Methods Process Evaluation Study

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) can be attributable to unhealthy lifestyle habits. However, there has been little application of this knowledge in primary health care (PHC). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the process and outcomes of a multifaceted implementation strategy for a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice in a PHC setting. This practice is based on national guidelines targeting unhealthy lifestyle habits with a potential risk for NCDs. METHODS: A pre-post implementation study design with a control group is used in a PHC setting in central Sweden. The Medical Research Council guidelines for process evaluation of complex interventions will be applied. The implementation process and outcomes will be assessed using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. A strategic sample of up to 6 PHC centers will be included as intervention centers, which will receive a 12-month multifaceted implementation strategy. Up to 6 matched PHC centers will serve as controls. Core components in the implementation strategy are external and internal facilitators in line with the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework and the Astrakan change leadership model. Data will be collected at baseline, during the implementation phase, and 4-6 months after the implementation strategy. Questionnaires will be sent to roughly 500 patients in every PHC center and 200 health care professionals (HCPs) before and after implementation. In addition, purposeful sampling will be used for interviews and focus group discussions with managers, HCPs, patient representatives, and internal and external facilitators. Use of data from medical records and activity logs will be an additional data source. RESULTS: Recruitment of PHC centers began in March 2021 and ended in Spring 2022. Based on the planned timeline with the 12-month implementation strategy and 4-6-month follow-up, we expect to collect the final data in Summer 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This study will explain implementation process and outcomes using a multifaceted implementation strategy for a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice in a real-world PHC context. The study is expected to provide new knowledge about the role of facilitators and their contribution to implementation outcomes. These findings can guide policy makers, managers, and PHC staff to integrate health promotion and disease prevention in PHC and provide methodological support to facilitators. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04799860; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04799860. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37634

Sickness certificates : what information do they provide about rehabilitation?

Purpose: To investigate whether patients are prescribed rehabilitation early in a new sick leave period, and whether this prescription is associated with age, sex, diagnosis, description of functioning, and affiliation of certifying physician. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from sickness certificates issued during a total sick leave period, collected consecutively during 2 weeks in 2007 in Östergötland County, Sweden. Rehabilitation prescribed in the first certificate or within 28 days after the start of sick leave was defined as early rehabilitation. Results: Musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) were the largest diagnostic group, followed by mental disorders (MD). The mean certified duration of sick leave was 94 days (SD 139), longest for MD patients. Early rehabilitation was prescribed in 27% of all certificates and in 45% of certificates for MSD and MD diagnoses. Logistic regression analysis indicated that prescription of early rehabilitation was associated with certificates issued for MSD and MD, youngest patients, and certificates issued by primary health care physicians. The final model explained 29% of variation in the prescription of early rehabilitation. Conclusion: There is a modest prescription of early rehabilitation in sickness certificates, based on younger age and MSD or MD diagnosis. This indicates that patients’ rehabilitation needs may not have been identified

Expectations on implementation of a health promotion practice using individually targeted lifestyle interventions in primary health care : a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: There is moderate to strong evidence of the effectiveness of health-promotion interventions, but implementation in routine primary health care (PHC) has been slow. In the Act in Time project implementation support is provided for a health promotion practice using individually targeted lifestyle interventions in a PHC setting. Identifying health care professionals' (HCPs') perceptions of barriers and facilitators helps adapt implementation activities and achieve a more successful implementation. This study aimed, at a pre-implementation stage, to describe the expectations of managers, appointed internal facilitators (IFs) and HCPs on implementing a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice in PHC. METHODS: In this qualitative study five focus group discussions with 27 HCPs and 16 individual interviews with managers and appointed IFs were conducted at five PHC centres in central Sweden. The PHC centres are participating in the Act in Time project, evaluating the process and outcomes of a multifaceted implementation strategy for a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice. A deductive qualitative content analysis based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was followed using inductive analysis. RESULTS: Twelve constructs from four of five CFIR domains were derived: Innovation characteristics, Outer setting, Inner setting, and Characteristics of individuals. These domains are related to the expectations of HCPs to implement a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice, which includes facilitating factors and barriers. The inductive analysis showed that the HCPs perceived a need for a health-promotion approach to PHC. It serves the needs of the patients and the expectations of the HCPs, but lifestyle interventions must be co-produced with the patient. The HCPs expected that changing routine practice into a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice would be challenging, requiring sustainability, improved structures, cooperation in inter-professional teams, and a common purpose. A collective understanding of the purpose of changing practice was vital to successful implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The HCPs valued implementing a healthy lifestyle-promoting practice in a PHC setting. However, changing routine methods was challenging, implying that the implementation strategy should address obstacles and facilitating factors identified by the HCPs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is part of the Act in Time project, registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT04799860 . Registered 03 March 2021