title: Psychoeducation to facilitate return to work in individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder: protocol of a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sickness absence due to poor mental health is a common problem in many Western countries. To facilitate return to work, it may be important to identify individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder and subsequently to offer appropriate treatment. Psychoeducation alone has not previously been used as a return to work intervention, but may be a promising tool to facilitate return to work. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation designed specifically to facilitate return to work for individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder. The psychoeducation was a supplement to the various standard offers provided by the job centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a randomised controlled trial, in which individuals on sick leave either receive psychoeducation and standard case management or standard case management alone. Participants were individuals with mental health symptoms, who had been on sick leave from part-time or full-time work or unemployment for about 4-8 weeks. The psychoeducational intervention was group-based and the course consisted of 2 hour sessions once a week for 6 weeks. The course was given by psychiatric nurses, a psychologist, a social worker, a physiotherapist and a person who had previously been on sick leave due to mental health problems. The sessions focused on stress and work life, and the purpose was to provide individuals on sick leave the skills to understand and improve their mental functioning.The primary outcome is the duration of sickness absence measured by register data. Secondary outcomes include psychological symptoms, mental health-related quality of life, and locus of control. These outcomes are measured by questionnaires at the start of the intervention and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of this trial, the effect of psychoeducation for individuals on sick leave and at risk of having a mental disorder will be studied. The results will contribute to the continuing research on sickness absence and mental health. It will primarily show whether psychoeducation can lead to faster and sustainable return to work.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical Trial.gov NCT01637363. Registered 6 July 2012.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Research Unit West, Regional Psychiatric Services West, Central Denmark Region, Gl, Landevej 49, 7400 Herning, Denmark. Pernille.Pedersen@stab.rm.dk.
authors.forename: Pernille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Hans Jørgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Søgaard
authors.forename: Bjarne Frostholm
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Yde
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labriola
authors.forename: Ellen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nohr
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult