Return to work outcomes for workers with mental health conditions: A retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to describe predictors of sustained return to work (RTW) among a cohort of workers with compensated work-related mental health conditions (MHCs); and to examine predictors of subsequent absences due to the same condition.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective analysis of compensation claims data in Victoria, Australia. We selected workers with an accepted wage replacement claim due to a work-related MHC from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2009, with two years of follow-up data.


RESULTS
We identified 8358 workers meeting our inclusion criteria. The median age of workers was 44 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 36-51) and 56% were female. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, older age, being from a small organisation, working in some specific industry segments, consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist, using medications, and having a previous claim were all associated with a delayed RTW. Workers experiencing work pressure, assault/workplace violence or other mental stress factors, working in the public administration and safety industry and having a medical incapacity certification between 3-4 days and 5-7 days had a higher rate of multiple RTW attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified a number of risk factors associated with a delayed RTW and multiple attempts at RTW. Predictors may help identify high-risk groups and facilitate the RTW process of workers with MHCs.
Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: khic-houy.prang@monash.edu.
Khic-Houy
KH
Prang
Department of Medicine, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Megan
M
Bohensky
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Peter
P
Smith
Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Alex
A
Collie
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D013997:Time Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Mental health; Return to work; Workers’ compensation