Getting an outsider's perspective - sick-listed workers' experiences with early follow-up sessions in the return to work process: a qualitative interview study.
BMC Health Serv Res
; 24(1): 609, 2024 May 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38724997
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to explore how early follow-up sessions (after 14 and 16 weeks of sick leave) with social insurance caseworkers was experienced by sick-listed workers, and how these sessions influenced their return-to-work process.METHODS:
A qualitative interview study with sick-listed workers who completed two early follow-up sessions with caseworkers from the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV). Twenty-six individuals aged 30 to 60 years with a sick leave status of 50-100% participated in semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed with thematic analysis.RESULTS:
Participants' experiences of the early follow-up sessions could be categorized into three themes (1) Getting an outsider's perspective, (2) enhanced understanding of the framework for long term sick-leave, and (3) the empathic and personal face of the social insurance system. Meeting a caseworker enabled an outsider perspective that promoted critical reflection and calibration of their thoughts. This was experienced as a useful addition to the support many received from their informal network, such as friends, family, and co-workers. The meetings also enabled a greater understanding of their rights and duties, possibilities, and limitations regarding welfare benefits, while also displaying an unexpected empathic and understanding perspective from those working in the social insurance system.CONCLUSION:
For sick-listed individuals, receiving an early follow-up session from social insurance caseworkers was a positive experience that enhanced their understanding of their situation, and promoted reflection towards RTW. Thus, from the perspective of the sick-listed workers, early sessions with social insurance caseworkers could be a useful addition to the overall sickness absence follow-up.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Interviews as Topic
/
Sick Leave
/
Qualitative Research
/
Return to Work
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Health Serv Res
/
BMC health serv. res. (Online)
/
BMC health services research (Online)
Journal subject:
PESQUISA EM SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Noruega
Country of publication:
Reino Unido