Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Eur J Public Health. 2010 Dec;20(6):689-94. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckp244. Epub 2010 Feb 8.
Assessment of efforts to promote return-to-work (RTW) includes all efforts (vocational and non-vocational) designed to improve the work ability of the sick-listed employee and increase the chance to return to work. Aim of the study was to investigate whether in 13 European countries these RTW efforts are assessed and to compare the procedures by means of six criteria.
Data were gathered in the taxonomy project of the European Union of Medicine in Assurance and Social Security and by means of an additional questionnaire.
In seven countries RTW efforts are subject of the assessment in relation to the application for disability benefits. Description of RTW efforts is a prerequisite in five countries. Guidelines on the assessment of RTW efforts are only available in the Netherlands and no countries report the use of the ICF model. Based on the results of the additional questionnaire, the assessor is a social scientist or a physician. The information used to assess RTW efforts differs, from a report on the RTW process to medical information. A negative outcome of the assessment leads to delay of the application for disability benefits or to application for rehabilitation subsidy.
RTW efforts are assessed in half of the participating European countries. When compared, the characteristics of the assessment of RTW efforts in the participating European countries show both similarities and differences. This study may facilitate the gathering and exchange of knowledge and experience between countries on the assessment of RTW efforts.
评估促进返回工作岗位（RTW）的努力包括旨在提高患病员工工作能力并增加返回工作机会的所有努力（职业和非职业）。研究的目的是调查在 13 个欧洲国家是否评估了这些 RTW 努力，并通过六个标准比较程序。
数据是在欧盟医疗保险和社会保障的分类学项目中收集的，并通过额外的问卷进行收集。
在七个国家，与申请残疾福利有关，评估 RTW 努力。在五个国家中，描述 RTW 努力是前提条件。只有荷兰有关于评估 RTW 努力的指南，没有国家报告使用 ICF 模型。根据额外问卷的结果，评估员是社会科学家或医生。用于评估 RTW 努力的信息不同，从 RTW 过程报告到医疗信息。评估的负面结果导致残疾福利申请的延迟或康复补贴的申请。
在参与的欧洲国家中，有一半对 RTW 努力进行了评估。进行比较时，参与欧洲国家评估 RTW 努力的特征既有相似之处也有不同之处。本研究可以促进各国之间在评估 RTW 努力方面的知识和经验的收集和交流。
