Recurrent sick leave and utilization of consulting physicians in the Skedsmo health insurance office
Melsom, H.; Noreik, K.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 108(13): 1013-1015
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3388320 Document Number: 318021
A rehabilitation program for those who chronically report sick was studied in an effort to reduce losses in work time and insurance. A total of 159 such clients were divided into an experimental (78 clients) and a control (81 clients) group. Those in the former group were requested to meet with a counselling physician, which 39 members of this group did. Following an interview and clinical evaluation, the physician assessed the level of social functioning according to sex (no, mild, or serious inhibitions to social function, or requiring constant care). Subjective complaints of the 39 clients who reported to the counselling physician included difficulties with the air passages, gastrointestinal tract, musculo skeletal system, nervous system, headache, and gynecological problems. Predominant sociomedical problems among these clients included personal, family, occupational, and financial problems, and difficulties with sleep, alcohol, or drugs. On the average, experimental group patients used less health insurance funds. Those who chronically report sick often suffer from psychosomatic illnesses with frequent sociomedical problems. These patients represent an important precursory stage to long-term sick reporting or remaining on assistance for a long time. Work with those who report sick should thus receive priority in an insurance context.