Cost-effectiveness of a workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with common mental disorders: design of a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Considering the high costs of sick leave and the consequences of sick leave for employees, an early return-to-work of employees with mental disorders is very important. Therefore, a workplace intervention is developed based on a successful return-to-work intervention for employees with low back pain. The objective of this paper is to present the design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the workplace intervention compared with usual care for sick-listed employees with common mental disorders.


METHODS
The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a follow-up of one year. Employees eligible for this study are on sick leave for 2 to 8 weeks with common mental disorders. The workplace intervention will be compared with usual care. The workplace intervention is a stepwise approach that aims to reach consensus about a return-to-work plan by active participation and strong commitment of both the sick-listed employee and the supervisor. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary outcome of this study is lasting return-to-work, which will be acquired from continuous registration systems of the companies after the follow-up. Secondary outcomes are total number of days of sick leave during the follow-up, severity of common mental disorders, coping style, job content, and attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy determinants. Cost-effectiveness will be evaluated from the societal perspective. A process evaluation will also be conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
Return-to-work is difficult to discuss in the workplace for sick-listed employees with mental disorders and their supervisors. Therefore, this intervention offers a unique opportunity for the sick-listed employee and the supervisor to discuss barriers for return-to-work. Results of this study will possibly contribute to improvement of disability management for sick-listed employees with common mental disorders. Results will become available in 2009.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN92307123.
van Oostrom
Sandra H
SH
Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. sandra.vanoostrom@vumc.nl
Anema
Johannes R
JR
Terluin
Berend
B
de Vet
Henrica C W
HC
Knol
Dirk L
DL
van Mechelen
Willem
W
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017144:Focus Groups; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*