Tackling work absenteeism with e-health

For this purpose, Trimbos has developed Return@Work, an e-health programme designed to support the absentee employee, the company doctor and the case manager in the process of reintegration in the workforce. While e-health has already been shown to be effective in combating mental health issues and addiction, its application in promoting a return to work is new. Return@Work devotes particular attention to the combination of psychological and physical symptoms, which afflict a quarter of long-term work absentees.

Long-term absenteeism is a major problem for society. Not only does it incur considerable costs for the company, it also has serious implications for the life of the employee.  Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress symptoms account for a large share of long-term absenteeism. The costs of absenteeism attributable to mental health disorders in the Netherlands are estimated at 2 billion euro annually.

Treatment offered for mental health complaints often pays little attention to the issue of returning to work. While in fact, returning to work can contribute to recovery. In Return@Work the employee is offered an online self-help programme in which he or she is motivated to resume work - at least partly. Return@Work also offers advice to the company doctor on how to provide better support to the employee. The case manager receives advice on how to facilitate the process.

Headed by Prof Van der Feltz-Cornelis PhD, the Trimbos Institute, together with the University of Tilburg and the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam is investigating whether Return@Work is effective in reducing the duration of work absenteeism. Over 300 employees have been recruited for the study. Half of the group are offered the Return@Work programme. The other half receive usual support for absenteeism. The results of the study are expected in early 2014.

More information: Laila Zaghdoudi