Psychoeducation to facilitate return to work in individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial

摘要

Background: Sickness absence due to poor mental health is a common problem in many Western countries. Tofacilitate return to work, it may be important to identify individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mentaldisorder and subsequently to offer appropriate treatment. Psychoeducation alone has not previously been used asa return to work intervention, but may be a promising tool to facilitate return to work. Therefore, the aim of thestudy is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation designed specifically to facilitate return to work forindividuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder. The psychoeducation was a supplement to thevarious standard offers provided by the job centres.Methods/Design: The study is a randomised controlled trial, in which individuals on sick leave either receivepsychoeducation and standard case management or standard case management alone. Participants were individualswith mental health symptoms, who had been on sick leave from part-time or full-time work or unemployment forabout 4–8 weeks. The psychoeducational intervention was group-based and the course consisted of 2 hour sessionsonce a week for 6 weeks. The course was given by psychiatric nurses, a psychologist, a social worker, a physiotherapistand a person who had previously been on sick leave due to mental health problems. The sessions focused on stressand work life, and the purpose was to provide individuals on sick leave the skills to understand and improve theirmental functioning.The primary outcome is the duration of sickness absence measured by register data. Secondary outcomesinclude psychological symptoms, mental health-related quality of life, and locus of control. These outcomes aremeasured by questionnaires at the start of the intervention and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.Discussion: On the basis of this trial, the effect of psychoeducation for individuals on sick leave and at risk ofhaving a mental disorder will be studied. The results will contribute to the continuing research on sicknessabsence and mental health. It will primarily show whether psychoeducation can lead to faster and sustainablereturn to work.