ERIC Number: EJ993900
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Oct
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0193-841X
EISSN: N/A
Locking-In Effects Due to Early Interventions? An Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Screening Programs for Avoiding Long-Term Sickness
Johansson, Per; Lindahl, Erica
Evaluation Review, v36 n5 p323-345 Oct 2012
Objective: In this article, we estimate the effect of a multidisciplinary collaboration program on the length of sickness absence. The intention with the program was to avoid long-term sickness absence by providing an early and holistic evaluation of the sick-listed individuals' conditions. The target group was individuals who were at risk of becoming long-term sick. The eligibility criteria were mainly based on register information that we have access to. Methods: Using this register information, we estimate different Cox regression models and apply a nonparametric matching estimator. We have also conducted a small randomized experiment. Results: The result from the randomized experiment is not statistically significant, but the point estimate provides the same result as was found in the observational study: The program prolongs rather than shortens the sickness absence spell. That is, the average sickness absence spell is prolonged by about 3 months. Conclusions: Our main explanation for this discouraging result is that the team focuses too much on rehabilitation rather than encouraging the sick-listed individual to return to work. (Contains 1 figure, 6 tables, and 18 notes.)
Descriptors: Holistic Evaluation, Health Services, Chronic Illness, At Risk Persons, Risk Assessment, Evaluation Criteria, Disease Incidence, Statistical Significance, Outcomes of Treatment, Intervention, Early Intervention, Employee Absenteeism, Screening Tests, Rehabilitation Programs, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Therapy, Clinical Diagnosis, Diagnostic Tests
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A