Epidemiological analyses of early and modifiable factors for return to work
Short description
In this project, we use epidemiological methods to investigate what affects return to work after sick leave due to mental ill health and/or musculoskeletal disorders. Our objectives are to:
• Analyse early and modifiable factors for return to work using registers covering the total population and established population cohorts
• Study patterns of sick leave and return to work in the male-dominated construction sector and the female-dominated health and social care sector.
• Analyse variations in full-time and part-time sick leave for sustainable return to work.
• Equip healthcare providers, employers and public authorities with knowledge about how system factors affect equitable and sustainable return to work.
The project is part of work package 4 (WP4) at the Centre for Return to Work - Interdisciplinary Primary Care Research at the University of Gothenburg - UGot ReWork.
Aim
This work package within the UGot ReWork centre aims to epidemiologically identify new, early and modifiable factors for return to work after sick leave due to mental ill health and musculoskeletal diagnoses.
Background and knowledge gaps
Previous research shows that factors such as high self-efficacy, higher education and a supportive work environment can facilitate return to work. However, important knowledge gaps remain. We need a better understanding of how both individual and work-related factors influence return to work. Individual factors include comorbidity, stress resilience and lifestyle, while work-related factors include decision latitude and occupational sector. We also need to identify which of these factors can be addressed through interventions to support a more effective and sustainable return to work. At the same time, there is considerable variation in how physicians assess work ability.
Project objectives
• Identify early and modifiable factors for return to work
• Investigate how these factors vary by sex, socioeconomic group, work environment and comorbidity
• Develop effective and equitable physician strategies to support sustainable return to work
Research design and implementation
This project analyses factors at five levels: individual, socioeconomic, occupation, healthcare and social insurance.
We use existing cohort studies with detailed data from registers (e.g. LISA, MiDAS), survey data and clinical information. To better understand sex differences, we will examine cohorts from male- and female-dominated occupations, including the construction sector and the health and social care sector.
We will also analyse sickness certificates and healthcare register data to examine how physicians assess work ability, how these assessments vary, and how organisational factors in primary care influence return to work.
Methods and expertise
The work package builds on the team's combined expertise in quantitative methods, machine learning, register data, insurance medicine and clinical practice in sickness certification. Using long-term data, the project will evaluate the effects of measures in different populations and analyse how system factors facilitate or hinder return to work.
Participating researchers
Researchers in this project
- Maria Åberg, PI (External link)
- Leonard Stockfelt, Co-PI (External link)
- Anna Grimby-Ekman (External link)
- Gunnel Hensing (External link)
- Mathias Holm (External link)
- Jenny Hultqvist (External link)
- Karl Kilbo Edlund (External link)
- Gustav Kjellsson (External link)
- Adnan Noor Baloch (External link)
- Fredrik Nyberg (External link)
- Jenny Nyberg (External link)
- Annika Rosengren (External link)
- Linus Schiöler (External link)
- Kjell Torén (External link)
More work packages at UGot ReWork
Learn more about the different work packages on the research centre's website.