title: Influence of efforts of employer and employee on return-to-work process and outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research on disability and RTW outcome has led to significant advances in understanding these outcomes, however, limited studies focus on measuring the RTW process. After a prolonged period of sickness absence, the assessment of the RTW process by investigating RTW Effort Sufficiency (RTW-ES) is essential. However, little is known about factors influencing RTW-ES. Also, the correspondence in factors determining RTW-ES and RTW is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the strength and relevance of factors related to RTW-ES and RTW (no/partial RTW), and 2) the comparability of factors associated with RTW-ES and with RTW.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 4 months, all assessments of RTW-ES and RTW (no/partial RTW) among employees applying for disability benefits after 2 years of sickness absence, performed by labor experts at 3 Dutch Social Insurance Institute locations, were investigated by means of a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaires concerning 415 cases were available. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the only factor related to RTW-ES is a good employer-employee relationship. Factors related to RTW (no/partial RTW) were found to be high education, no previous periods of complete disability and a good employer-employee relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different factors are relevant to RTW-ES and RTW, but the employer-employee relationship is relevant for both. Considering the importance of the assessment of RTW-ES after a prolonged period of sickness absence among employees who are not fully disabled, this knowledge is essential for the assessment of RTW-ES and the RTW process itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.muijzer@med.umcg.nl.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muijzer
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Groothoff
authors.forename: J H B
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertzen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brouwer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D033182:Intention; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*