[Medical assessments of the years 2004 and 2005 at the Diagnostic Medical Department MEDAS, University Clinic Basel - a critical analysis].

Medical assessments of patients seeking disability benefits are one of the most important services provided by MEDAS/asim Basel for the Swiss Disability Insurance scheme. An evaluation of 593 assessments from 2004 and 2005 was carried out in order to gain initial insights into the characteristics of this special patient population. Information about sociodemographic background, diagnoses and certified fitness to work was collected and evaluated. The majority of the assessed patients were immigrants (61%) from southern and south-eastern Europe, 86% of whom suffered from chronic pain conditions and depression. At the time of the assessments, only 101 patients (17% of the total) were working full- or part-time. For 38% of the patient population under investigation, the last work period in mostly unskilled occupations varied from a few months to several years and had ended 1.5-2.5 years previously.