A clinical follow up of unemployed. II: Sociomedical evaluations as predictors of re-employment.
OBJECTIVE
To frame and study sociomedical evaluations in clinical work with unemployed people.


METHODS
In a two-year follow up of routine health examinations, three sociomedical evaluations were set up. The first was the direct conclusion of the check-up, based on sickness and possibilities of treatment. The second dealt with work identity, and the last was a diagnostic set of main unemployment problem.


METHODS
The four municipalities of Grenland, Norway.


METHODS
A representative sample aged 16 to 63 who had been registered with the labour market authorities for more than 12 weeks.


RESULTS
21% of the unemployed needed further treatment. 7% were classified as "discouraged", being on their way out of the labour market, while the majority of the study group was healthy job seekers. Work identity seemed to be wage earning for 83%, homemaking for 9%, cultural work for 3%, and being a pensioner for 5%. The main unemployment problem was lack of work for 46% of the examined. Other problems were poor health, being less attractive workers, or having little courage for job search. The evaluations predicted re-employment after two years. They divided the unemployed in groups with from five to seven times difference in re-employment rate.


CONCLUSIONS
These standardized sociomedical evaluations seen to be useful in clinical work with unemployed people.
Claussen
B
B
National Institute of Public Health, Unit for Health Services Research, Oslo, Norway.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009664:Norway; D009790:Occupations; D010808:Physical Examination; D012649:Self Concept; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data