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TIDAS – Health, sick leave and return to work

Research group

Short description

The research group focuses on knowledge about preventive and rehabilitating methods for early identification and treatment related to risks for poor health and sickness absence due to work related stress. The group is interested in understanding how the interaction between factors such as organizational climate and work commitment influence work health and capacity to work.

The TIDAS research group represents several subject areas, such as general medicine, occupational therapy, public health, physiotherapy, social medicine and community pharmacy. TIDAS is part of New Ways[KH1] , which is a research program funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forte). The research group also collaborates closely with primary care in the Västra Götaland region. 

The research group has experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods and has extensive experience in conducting epidemiological studies. The research group also conducts instrument development and intervention studies.

Health, sick leave and return to work

Mental ill health is increasing among women and men who are in work (the working population). Many continue to work despite problems in the form of both mental and physical symptoms. The combination of a poor work climate and an excessively high work commitment has been shown to pose a particularly high risk of sick leave, and to constitute an obstacle to returning to work. Sick leave not only causes increasing costs and suffering for the individual, but also for society and the employer. The employer risks loss of production, loss of skills and costs for new employment. 

The process of returning to work is complex. Many different actors are involved and the outcome of the efforts is uncertain. It is therefore valuable to find methods for early identification of people who are at risk of being on sick leave, in order to be able to implement preventive measures or rehabilitation efforts.

The research group is conducting several projects with the aim of evaluating methods for early identification, treatment and support of people at risk of being on sick leave so that they can maintain their working capacity and remain in work.

Project

About research group 

The TIDAS research group represents various disciplines, such as general medicine, occupational therapy, public health, social medicine and society pharmacy. TIDAS is part of the New Ways, a research program financed by Forte (Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare). The research is also collaborating closely with the Primary Health Care in the Region Västra Götaland.

The research group is experienced in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and in conducting epidemiological studies. The group also conduct RCT studies and questionnaire developments.

Mental health disorders increase among the working population. Many people continue working despite mental and physical health complaints. The combination of poor organizational climate and high work commitment has been found to constitute high risk for sickness absence and an obstacle for returning to work. 

Sickness absence does not only mean poor economy and suffering for the individual and costs for society; employers also risk drops in production, loss of competence and costs for new employees.

The return to work process is complex, and several stakeholders are involved. Therefore, it is important to find methods to early identify persons at risk for being sick-listed in order to find preventive and rehabilitating measures.

The research group run several projects aiming to early identify, treat and support people at risk for sick leave so they can keep up their work capacity and remain in work.

Members

Kristina Holmgren
Professor, forskningsledare, leg. arbetsterapeut
E-post: kristina.holmgren@neuro.gu.se 

Pernilla Bjerkli
Farmacie doktor, lektor, legitimerad apotekare
Institutionen för hälsa och lärande
Högskolan i Skövde
E-post: pernilla.bjerkli@his.se

Ute Bültmann
Professor of work and health
Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine
Groningen, Netherlands

Maria Dottori
Projektassistent, Leg. sjukgymnast
FoU-centrum Göteborg och Södra Bohuslän
E-post: maria.dottori@vgregion.se

Anna Frantz
Doktorand vid KI, Leg. sjukgymnast
Backa Vårdcentral, Göteborg

Anna-Maria Hultén
Doktorand, Leg. arbetsterapeut
E-post: anna-maria.hulten@gu.se

Marit Knapstad
Post Doc position
Faculty of Psychology
University of Bergen, Norway

Christina Andersson
Universitetslektor, Leg. arbetsterapeut
E-post: christina.andersson@neuro.gu.se

Kristin Lork
Leg. arbetsterapeut, rehabkoordinator, doktorand vid enheten arbetsterapi, Göteborgs universitet

Louise Danielsson
Universitetslektor, docent, leg. fysioterapeut 
E-post: louise.danielsson@gu.se

Jenny Hultqvist
Universitetslektor, docent, leg. arbetsterapeut
E-post: jenny.hultqvist@gu.se

Suzanne Johanson
Universitetslektor, leg. arbetsterapeut
E-post: suzanne.johanson.sturesson@gu.se

Joanna Nordstrand 
Doktorand, leg. arbetsterapeut 
joanna.nordstrand@gu.se

Birgitta Gunnarson
Docent, klinisk lektor
FoU Kronoberg
birgitta.gunnarsson@kronoberg.se

Research partners  


Dominique Hange
Docent, Universitetslektor, distriktsläkare
E-post: dominique.andersson@allmed.gu.se

Gunnel Hensing
Professor. Biträdande avdelningschef
E-post: gunnel.hensing@socmed.gu.se

Maria Larsson
Docent, Leg. sjukgymnast, FoU-chef
E-post: maria.larsson@neuro.gu.se

Cecilia Björkelund
Seniorforskare
E-post: cecilia.bjorkelund@allmed.gu.se