Implementation of a checklist to assess factors relevant for work ability assessments of employees on long-term sick leave.

OBJECTIVE

To implement the use of a checklist with factors relevant for work ability assessments of employees on long-term sick leave in daily practice of Dutch insurance physicians (IPs).

SUBJECTS/DESIGN: Two hundred and twenty IPs were asked to participate in a nationwide implementation study.

METHODS

A context analysis identified the barriers and promoting factors for the implementation. Then, participants were asked to assess, identify and report the factors that hinder or promote return to work (RTW) of employees on long-term sick leave using the checklist during six work ability assessments in daily practice. The outcome measure was the percentage of IPs that used the checklist in at least three of six work ability assessments. The use of the checklist was defined as the assessment of at least one of nine factors from the checklist. A frequency analysis was performed. Official work ability assessment records were analysed to determine whether the IPs reported the assessed factors.

RESULTS

Most identified barriers and facilitators were related to the potential users, the work environment and the characteristics of the checklist. The implementation goal was achieved. A total of 79 IPs participated. Almost all the IPs (96 %) assessed at least one factor; 89 % used the checklist in at least 3 work ability assessments. An analysis of 474 official work ability assessment records indicated that 90 % of the IPs reported at least one of the factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a checklist to assess barriers and facilitators for RTW of long-term sick-listed employees was successful.