IS PROVISION OF A COORDINATOR ASSOCIATED WITH RETURN TO WORK? THE RAPID-RTW COHORT STUDY

Background: Provision of a coordinator has been associated with time to return to work (RTW) in occupational rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to reveal if we could replicate these results on a cohort of sick-listed... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Provision of a coordinator has been associated with time to return to work (RTW) in occupational rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to reveal if we could replicate these results on a cohort of sick-listed employees, participating in different RTW-programs in Norway.

Method:
Cohort study following sick-listed employees (n=853) participating in the Rapid-RTW-programs (n=39). Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires to patients and providers, and linked to register data on sickness absence and diagnoses. Those replied yes/no to “Did the program have a coordinator that coordinated the patient’s services?” (n=581) was included in present analysis. Time to first-RTW (full or partial) and full-RTW were modelled using the Kaplan-Meier method, and cox regression analysis, adjusted for known confounding factors.

Results:
A significant difference in time to first and full RTW was found between patients who had a coordinator versus patients who did not have a coordinator, p<0.001, with a median of 111 days (95% CI 67-155) versus 166 days (95% CI 95-237) until first- and full-RTW, respectively. To have a coordinator maintained significant when controlling for gender, age, educational level and living alone/with others, first-RTW HR 1.31 (95% CI 1.05-1.64), and full-RTW HR 1.27 (95% CI 1.02-1.59).

Conclusion:
Having a coordinator seems to have a positive impact on RTW. However, more investigation is needed in coordination models and which groups of patients profiting from coordination.

Application to Practice:
Coordination of RTW should be considered for individuals on sick leave enrolled in return to work programs.