Changes In Sickness Absence Research Articles

Reducing sickness absence: a work environment intervention in Norwegian hospitals

BackgroundHigh rates of sickness absence is a challenge within the healthcare sector, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Despite this, limited research has been conducted on the impact of such interventions within the healthcare context. This study evaluates an intervention aimed at improving the work environment influences sickness absence rates in Norwegian hospital units. The intervention is a comprehensive framework for discovering and tailoring solutions to each units’ specific needs, with a focus on employee involvement and collaboration between leader, union representatives and safety delegates.MethodsWe employed two methodological approaches. Method 1 involved using HR-registered sickness absence data to track changes in sickness absence across all intervention units and matched control groups over a three-year period. In Method 2, we used a pre- and post-survey design in 14 intervention units, focusing on employees’ job satisfaction and self-reported health.ResultsThe results of the intervention were mixed. There was a significant decrease in total sickness absence in the intervention units the first year after the intervention, and a significant decrease in long-term sickness absence both in the first and second year after the intervention, measured with HR registries. However, we did not see a significant larger decrease in total sickness absence in the intervention units compared to the control units and only partial support for a larger decrease in long-term absence in the intervention units. In the subsample of units that also participated in the survey, we observed significant improvements in employee job satisfaction post intervention.ConclusionsThere is a need for research on effective interventions to reduce sickness absence in the healthcare sector. “Where the shoe pinches” provides a potential methodological framework for reducing sickness absence by addressing challenges in the work environment, however with uncertain results. Further exploration is warranted to refine strategies for effectively managing sickness absence within healthcare organizations.

Changes in Sleep Quality, Sleep Duration, and Sickness Absence: A Longitudinal Study with Repeated Measures.

Sickness absence has been linked to short and long, as well as poor, sleep in a few studies. Such studies have started from a baseline measurement and followed up on subsequent sickness absence. In the present study, however, we focused on the change in biennial reports of sickness absence and sleep measures (using work-related variables as possible modifiers). We also searched for an interaction between predictors and gender since women report more sleep problems. A total of 5377 individuals (random sample from the Swedish working population) participated across five biennial points of measurement. Data were analyzed using mixed-model logistic regression. The multivariable analysis of variation across the five time points showed that the significant sleep-related predictors of sickness absence (at least one occurrence during the preceding year) were sleep duration during days off (OR = 1.16, 95% Cl = 1.08;1.24) and sleep problems (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.33;1.51). These also remained significant after the addition of psychosocial work factors. Sensitivity analyses indicated that a 9 h sleep duration during days off may represent a critical level in terms of increased sickness absence and that late rising contributed to the association between sickness absence and long sleep duration during days off. Women reported a higher sickness absence than men (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.74;2.68) and had a higher probability of sickness absence for long sleep during days off and during the workweek than men. It was concluded that increases in sleep problems and sleep duration during days off are longitudinally associated with changes in sickness absence and that women have a closer link between the two. This suggests that treatment for sleep problems may reduce the risk of sickness absence.

Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesTo explore the patterns, trends, nature, and extent of changes in sickness absence among health care workers (HCWs) at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar-during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years and uncover the main associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all sick leaves’ records of PHCC HCWs regardless of their profession from January 2019 till August 2021.ResultsA total of 41,132 sick leaves were taken during the studied period. The majority of HCWs who availed sick leaves were between 30–39 years (45.9%), females (65.1%), and expatriates (65.1%). Compared with pre-COVID-19 (Jan 2019-Feb 2020), Wave 1 of COVID-19 had significantly less incidence of sick leaves per day per 1000 HCWs. While wave 2 had significantly higher incidence of sick leaves compared to both pre-COVID-19 and wave 1. The number of sick leaves per person among female HCWs was significantly higher than that of male HCWs. Moreover, the number of sick leaves per person among locals were about two times the number among expatriate HCWs. Physicians and nurses had significantly lower number of sick leave per person compared to other professions. The rates of sick leaves due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, back/neck pain and gastroenteritis were significantly higher in the second wave compared to the first wave of COVID-19.ConclusionOverall and cause specific sick leave rates among HCWs varied significantly across different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 related sick leave rate was higher during the second wave compared to first one. By addressing the root causes of sick leaves, it is possible to reduce the burden on HCWs and ensure their continued ability to provide essential care to those in need.

Changes in Unemployment Affect Sickness Absence and Disability Retirement Rates: A Municipality-Level Panel Study.

To enhance understanding of the interplay between unemployment and sickness absence and disability retirement, the aim of this study was to examine how changes in area-level unemployment rates are associated with changes in sickness absence and disability retirement rates in a longitudinal setting. Municipality-level time-series data were collected on unemployment, sickness absence, disability retirement and covariates from databases for Finnish municipalities for years 2003–2017 (n = 4425 municipality–year observations). Fixed effects panel regression models were used to analyse how changes in unemployment rates predict changes in sickness absence and disability retirement rates when comparing consecutive years. The results showed that when examining yearly cross-sections, a higher level of unemployment in the municipality was associated with higher sickness absence and disability retirement rates. However, longitudinal assessment of consecutive years with panel regression models showed that a one percentage point increase in the municipality-level unemployment rate was associated with a decrease both in the sickness absence rate (−1.3%, p < 0.001) and in the disability retirement rate (−2.1%, p = 0.011), adjusted for simultaneous changes in demographic and socio-economic covariates, morbidity and economic situation of the municipality. The results indicate that unemployment and disability benefits partly act as substitutes for each other. Unemployment and disability rates should be assessed together to reach a more complete understanding of the level of non-employment overall and in different areas.

Association Between Improvement in Cardiovascular Risk Profile and Changes in Sickness Absence: Results of the ICARIA Study

Introduction and objectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in cardiovascular risk (CVR) are associated with the length and cost of sickness absence. MethodsA prospective cohort of 179 186 participants was evaluated. Each participant's CVR (SCORE) was assessed on 2 consecutive medical examinations, approximately 1 year apart (365 ± 90 days). Cardiovascular risk was categorized as < 4% or ≥ 4%, and participants were divided into 4 groups according to changes in their risk between the 2 assessments. After the second CVR estimate, a 1-year follow-up was carried out to assess sickness absence. Differences between the 4 groups in terms of the total count of sickness absence days during the follow-up period were tested using Poisson regression models. ResultsAfter adjustment for covariates, participants who showed an improvement in CVR had a lower count of sickness absence days compared with both those who showed a worsening in risk and those who remained stable at ≥ 4% (RR, 0.91; 95%CI, 0.84-0.98). In comparison with participants whose CVR did not improve, more of the participants whose risk did improve had quit smoking (+17.2%; P < .001), and had controlled their blood pressure (+26.0%, P < .001), total cholesterol (+9.3%; P < .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+14.9%; P < .001), and triglyceride levels (+14.6%; P < .001). ConclusionsOur results suggest that an improvement in CVR profile is accompanied by a decrease in sickness absence during a 1-year follow-up.

Longitudinal changes in sickness absence and disability pension, and associations between disability pension and disease-specific and contextual factors and functioning, in people with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundEven though it is well known that disability due to MS is highly associated with employment status, the long-term longitudinal perspective on sickness absence and disability pension over the MS trajectory is lacking. In addition, further knowledge of risk factors for future disability pension is needed. ObjectivesTo explore long-term longitudinal changes in the prevalence of sickness absence and disability pension in people with MS (PwMS), as well as to explore associations between disease-specific factors, contextual factors and functioning, and the outcome of future full-time disability pension. MethodsA prospective, population-based survival cohort study, with a nine year follow-up, including 114 PwMS was conducted by combining face-to-face collected data and register-based data. ResultsThe prevalence of full-time disability pension increased from 20% to 50%, however 24% of the PwMS had no disability pension at all at end of follow-up. Sex, age, disease severity and impaired manual dexterity were associated with future full-time disability pension. ConclusionsThe large increase in prevalence of PwMS on full-time disability pension during the MS trajectory, calls for the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions, aiming at keeping PwMS in the work force. Modifiable factors, such as manual dexterity should be targeted in such interventions.

Sickness absence in Poland after socio-economic transformation

The aim of the analysis was to determine the magnitude and causes of the sickness-related temporary incapacity for work in Poland, and to identify changes in sickness absence and its differences by the type of economic activity and region. This analysis is based on the 2006-2012 data on sickness absence compiled from medical certificates of temporary incapacity for work and published by the Social Insurance Institution (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych). The sickness absence is described in terms of the number of sick leave days relative to the number of the employed or insured people. In 2012, the number of days of disability per one employed was 14.5 (12.1 men, 17.4 women), representing 3,98% of the time lost due to illness. The main causes of absence were: complications of pregnancy and mother's diseases during pregnancy (33% of the sick leave days in women), injury and poisoning (men: 24%; women: 8%), diseases of the musculoskeletal system (men: 17%; woman: 11%). The highest level of sickness absence was noted in the łódzkie, ślaskie and warmińsko-mazurskie provinces (38-19% higher than nationwide) and in the administrative and support sectors (22.2 days per 1 employee), when analyzed by sectors of the national economy. The high increase in sickness absence over the recent 7 years due to cancer, mental and muscloskeletal disorders may be an important risk factor for early assessment of permanent incapacity for work. Another major problem is female sickness absence due to pregnancy complications and mother's diseases during pregnancy.

Reduction in sickness absence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving adalimumab: data from a German noninterventional study

The aim of this noninterventional study (NIS) was to analyze the changes in sickness absence, disease activity, and functional capacity in employed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients during adalimumab treatment. RA patients receiving adalimumab according to label instructions (40 mg every other week) were evaluated at regular intervals in a multicenter prospective NIS. Patients provided information on sickness absence in the 12 months preceding treatment initiation (baseline) and at months 6 and 12. Disease activity was assessed by the Disease Activity Score using 28 joints, and physical function was assessed via the Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire, a patient self-questionnaire comparable with the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index. We present data on 1,157 patients who were employed (part time or full time) at baseline. Patients were categorized by the length of sickness absence at baseline. At baseline, patients with absences of 6 weeks or more in the previous year (n = 226 [19.5%]) accounted for 77% of the documented weeks of sickness absence, and patients with absences of more than 12 weeks (n = 98 [8.5%]) accounted for 54% of sickness absence weeks. During 12 months of adalimumab treatment, disease activity decreased, functional capacity improved, and sickness absence was reduced. The greatest decrease in sickness absence was observed in patients with more than 12 weeks of sick leave in the year prior to adalimumab therapy. These patients also showed gains in function comparable with those observed in other employed patients. We conclude that sustaining and improving functional capacity represent the key to preservation of work capability.

No association found between sickness absence and duration of pregnancy benefit

Objective. Issuing sickness absence certifications is a time-consuming part of GPs’ and obstetricians’ work in antenatal care. The aim was to study whether a social benefit, the Pregnancy benefit, introduced in Sweden in 1980 and especially targeted at pregnant women working in arduous occupations, had any demonstrable effect on sickness absence among employed pregnant women.Design. Data from delivered women's medical and social security records were collected for 7459 consecutively delivered women in 1978, 1986, 1992, and 1997.Setting. Two delivery wards in southern Sweden.Main outcomes measures. The mean number of days of leave provided by the Pregnancy benefit increased by 8 days up to 1986, and by an additional 6 days between 1986 and 1997, making the total increase 14 days. The mean number of days of sickness absence increased by 19 days between 1978 and 1986, but fell by 24 days between 1986 and 1997. All occupational groups studied behaved in the same way.Results. No direct correlation was found between sickness absence and the number of days of the Pregnancy benefit that were used. Instead, changes in sickness absence among pregnant women were similar to changes in sickness absence among all persons insured, both men and women.Conclusions. Increasing costs of social security insurance among pregnant women are more probably coupled to levels in the social security insurance, as pregnant women seem more inclined to apply for a sickness absence certificate during periods when the economic compensation practically equals their salary.