Effectiveness of Integration and Re-Integration into Work Strategies for Persons with Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review of European Strategies

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 552
• Main Authors: Sabariego, Carla, Coenen, Michaela, Ito, Elizabeth, Fheodoroff, Klemens, Scaratti, Chiara, Leonardi, Matilde, Vlachou, Anastasia, Stavroussi, Panayiota, Brecelj, Valentina, Kovačič, Dare S, Esteban, Eva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 19-03-2018; MDPI
• Subjects: Back pain; Chronic conditions; Chronic Disease; Chronic illnesses; Diabetes; Disability Evaluation; Employee benefits; Employment; Europe; Evaluation; Health care; Humans; Integration; Intervention; Literature reviews; Mental disorders; Pain; Public health; Return to Work; Review; Sick Leave; Systematic review; Greece; Austria; Norway; Europe; Italy; Slovenia; Germany; effectiveness; return to work; Europe; chronic disease; disability; review; employment; musculoskeletal diseases; sick leave
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15030552

Due to low employment rates associated to chronic conditions in Europe, it is essential to foster effective integration and re-integration into work strategies. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of strategies for integration and re-integration to work for persons with chronic diseases or with musculoskeletal disorders, implemented in Europe in the past five years. A systematic search was conducted in MedLine, PsycINFO, CDR-HTA, CDR-DARE and Cochrane Systematic Reviews. Overall, 32 relevant publications were identified. Of these, 21 were considered eligible after a methodological assessment and included. Positive changes in employment status, return to work and sick leave outcomes were achieved with graded sickness-absence certificates, part-time sick leave, early ergonomic interventions for back pain, disability evaluation followed by information and advice, and with multidisciplinary, coordinated and tailored return to work interventions. Additionally, a positive association between the co-existence of active labour market policies to promote employment and passive support measures (e.g., pensions or benefits) and the probability of finding a job was observed. Research on the evaluation of the effectiveness of strategies targeting integration and re-integration into work for persons with chronic health conditions needs, however, to be improved and strengthened.