Long-term sickness absence: a biopsychosocial survey

摘要

LONG-TERM sickness absence (LTSA) constitutes only a small fraction of sickness episodes but has been estimated to account for three-quarters of total absence costs. It is consistently cited by occupational health (OH) professionals as one of their biggest priorities for professional practice and is a burden on society, employers and individuals1. Successful management of LTSA is notoriously complex, with many factors acting as obstacles or facilitators to recovery and return to work. This research was undertaken, therefore, to provide robust data on the real causes, and the biopsychosocial drivers, of LTSA, as well as the barriers to, and facilitators of, return to work. The research also sought to examine whether or not strategies aimed at reducing LTSA were effective.