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Return to Work after Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Expectations of the Involved Stakeholders

Author

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  • Jessica Scharf

    (Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • Peter Angerer

    (Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • Gesine Müting

    (Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • Adrian Loerbroks

    (Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
    Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Mannheim Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany)

Abstract

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are risk factors for long-term sickness absence and unemployment. Therefore, return-to-work (RTW) processes have been introduced to facilitate the return of employees. As the success of RTW processes is considered to be determined by the cooperativeness of the involved stakeholders, we aimed to investigate the views of those stakeholders to disclose potentially diverging expectations. Qualitative interviews were conducted (08/2018-04/2019) among five stakeholder groups: returnees with a diagnosed CMD who were eligible for a RTW process; health care professionals nominated by the returnees; supervisors, colleagues and occupational physicians (the latter three groups were not nominated by the returnees). In total, 24 returnees, 13 health care professionals, 13 occupational physicians, 9 supervisors and 9 colleagues were interviewed (68 interviews in total). Potentially diverging expectations of the stakeholders related to whether diagnoses need to be disclosed by returnees. Agreement existed in terms of the need for a trustful relationship between employees and occupational physicians to initiate a RTW process early. As the understanding of all stakeholders’ viewpoints is one of the main factors promoting a successful RTW, we explored the expectations of those involved in the RTW process. One implication of our findings is to strengthen the role of occupational physicians, who could coordinate the return process.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Scharf & Peter Angerer & Gesine Müting & Adrian Loerbroks, 2020. "Return to Work after Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Expectations of the Involved Stakeholders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6635-:d:412312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eva Rothermund & Martina Michaelis & Marc N. Jarczok & Elisabeth M. Balint & Rahna Lange & Stephan Zipfel & Harald Gündel & Monika A. Rieger & Florian Junne, 2018. "Prevention of Common Mental Disorders in Employees. Perspectives on Collaboration from Three Health Care Professions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jessica Scharf & Patricia Vu-Eickmann & Peter Angerer & Andreas Müller & Jürgen in der Schmitten & Adrian Loerbroks, 2022. "Work-Related Intervention Needs of Medical Assistants and How to Potentially Address Them according to Supervising General Practitioners: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Matilde Leonor Alba-Jurado & María José Aguado-Benedí & Noelia Moreno-Morales & Maria Teresa Labajos-Manzanares & Rocío Martín-Valero, 2021. "Occupation and Sickness Absence in the Different Autonomous Communities of Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    3. José-María Figueredo & Cristina García-Ael & Andrea Gragnano & Gabriela Topa, 2020. "Well-Being at Work after Return to Work (RTW): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-27, October.

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