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Occupational physicians managing workers long-term sickness absence : are they willing to cooperate with family and social insurance physicians ?
Mairiaux, Philippe; Vanmeerbeek, Marc; Schippers, Nathalie et al.
201531st International Congress on Occupational Health
 

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Abstract :
[en] Introduction In Belgium, sickness absence (SA) management implies complementary roles for family (FPs), social insurance (SIPs) and occupational physicians (OPs): FPs deliver sick notes, SIPs control SA benefits and OPs strive to adapt work environments to workers’ capacities. In practice however, there is little cooperation between the three physicians. This study aimed at identifying FP-OP-SIP cooperation channels in order to prevent long-term work disability. Methods The study involved two phases. (1) Using the nominal group technique, researchers from the three physician groups reached a consensus on 15 proposals to enhance inter-professional cooperation. (2) A Delphi study was conducted to validate these proposals: 61 experts representing professional groups of physicians (FP, SIP, OP), patients, government, employers and labor unions were asked to participate. A 18-items questionnaire (the 15 proposals + 3 open questions) was used in a 2-round Delphi study. Proposals were accepted if 80% of experts agreed. Results Participation rate was 77% in round 1 and 7 out of the 15 proposals were accepted. During round 2, participation rate was 94%; 2 of the remaining proposals reached agreement level. Public authorities were thus advised to invest in a) promotion of pre-return to work visit with the OP for sick-listed patients; b) a website with OPs contact data; c) joint guidelines for return to work guidance; d) joint training of the 3 physician groups; 5) safe electronic information exchange. Several proposals aiming at giving work-related information to FPs and SIPs did not reach agreement within the OPs expert group. OPs expressed concerns about their own workload and FPs or SIPs ability to understand and use those information. Discussion The need for inter-physician cooperation in disability management may exceed individual goodwill and should best be organised by public authorities. This study may be a first step in this process.
Disciplines :
Public health, health care sciences & services
Author, co-author :
Mairiaux, Philippe  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé au travail et éducation pour la santé (STES)
Vanmeerbeek, Marc  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Médecine générale
Schippers, Nathalie ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé au travail et éducation pour la santé (STES)
Govers, Patrick ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé au travail et éducation pour la santé (STES)
Donceel, Peter;  Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - KUL > Occupational Insurance and Environmental Medicine
Mortelmans, Katrien;  Occupational Health Services Group Mensura > Research & Development
Language :
English
Title :
Occupational physicians managing workers long-term sickness absence : are they willing to cooperate with family and social insurance physicians ?
Publication date :
June 2015
Event name :
31st International Congress on Occupational Health
Event place :
Seoul, South Korea
Event date :
May 31st to June 5, 2015
Audience :
International
References of the abstract :
IC-0489
Funders :
SPF Emploi - Service Public Fédéral Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 12 January 2015

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