The cost-effectiveness of a back school program in industry. A longitudinal controlled field study.
To define the cost-effectiveness of a back school program in industry, a controlled longitudinal field study was carried out in a Dutch bus company. The experimental group received a program consisting of information on back care, physical fitness, nutrition, stress, and relaxation. Objective data on absenteeism were collected and compared during a 6-year period for the control and experimental groups. Results showed that a tailor-made back school program reduced absenteeism by at least 5 days per year per employee, therefore being cost-effective to industry. A reduction was not observed in incidence, but in mean length of absenteeism. This effect turned out to be persistent during a 2-year period following the program.
Versloot
J M
JM
Versloot & Partners, Soestdijkseweg, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Rozeman
A
A
van Son
A M
AM
van Akkerveeken
P F
PF
D000041:Absenteeism; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires