Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing rates of long-term sickness absence are a worldwide problem. Belgium is the first country in Europe that aims to screen its entire population of sick leavers (sick leave > 6 weeks) for the risk of long-term sickness absence in order to focus resources on the high-risk group and to provide adequate return-to-work support. Our aim was to investigate content and face validity of a newly designed questionnaire (Quickscan) using item prioritization of patients and professionals in the field of long-term sickness absence. This questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature and existing instruments (Goorts et al, J Public Health Res 7:1419, 2018).MethodsQualitative data were collected using the nominal group technique. The data were gathered exploring factors that influence return-to work restrictions or opportunities.ResultsParticipants indicated 20 out of 21 of the questionnaire factors as important reasons that might influence the return-to-work process. Additionally, 16 factors were discussed that were not yet included in the Quickscan but that might provide useful information on return-to-work issues, according to the participants. In the prioritization of items, we found considerable diversity among participants.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate the validity of the Quickscan items to ask patients about important return-to-work barriers or opportunities. However, additional factors were identified that may improve the assessment of risk for long-term sickness absence.
Highlights
Increasing rates of long-term sickness absence are a worldwide problem
Based on predictors identified to date and on existing validated questionnaires, in an earlier research project, we developed and validated a new questionnaire, called the “Quickscan”, for early screening for long-term sickness absence risk in Belgium [8]
Dutch- or Frenchspeaking patients who had been on sick leave for at least 6 weeks were eligible for inclusion in the study
Summary
Increasing rates of long-term sickness absence are a worldwide problem. Belgium is the first country in Europe that aims to screen its entire population of sick leavers (sick leave > 6 weeks) for the risk of long-term sickness absence in order to focus resources on the high-risk group and to provide adequate return-to-work support. Our aim was to investigate content and face validity of a newly designed questionnaire (Quickscan) using item prioritization of patients and professionals in the field of long-term sickness absence. This questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature and existing instruments (Goorts et al, J Public Health Res 7:1419, 2018). In Belgium there is a substantial shortage of physicians assessing disability for sickness fund organisations [3]
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