Factors influencing return to work after illness in France

Few studies have been published about the factors influencing return to work after sickness absence. To identify medical and occupational factors influencing the type of fitness certificate given by occupational physicians before employees return to work after sickness absence. A cross-sectional stu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Occupational medicine (Oxford) 2014, Vol.64 (1), p.56-63
Main Authors: PELISSIER, C, FONTANA, L, CHAUVIN, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
France
Humans
Life Sciences
Male
Medical sciences
Occupational Health
Occupational medicine
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Return to Work - statistics & numerical data
Risk Factors
Santé publique et épidémiologie
Sick Leave - statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Work
Work Capacity Evaluation
Work Schedule Tolerance
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Summary:Few studies have been published about the factors influencing return to work after sickness absence. To identify medical and occupational factors influencing the type of fitness certificate given by occupational physicians before employees return to work after sickness absence. A cross-sectional study was undertaken over 3 months in several health services in France. Workers undergoing a medical examination before returning to work after a period of sickness absence of at least 3 weeks were included. Medical and occupational factors were collected using a questionnaire. The relationship between different factors and certification of fitness was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 402 workers included, 64% were considered fit to return to work. Being older, strenuous work, prolonged sick leave and fear of returning to work appeared to be negative factors influencing the return to a previous job. In contrast, having an education level higher than secondary school, being satisfied at work, perception of very good health and benefitting from satisfactory professional relationships appeared to favour return to work. We developed a predictive score of not being fit to return to work after illness. Our study highlighted the relationship between medical and occupational factors with problems returning to work. The predictive score may be used by occupational physicians as a screening tool to identify those who are likely to have difficulties returning to work after illness, so that their working conditions can be modified to take this into consideration.
ISSN:0962-7480
1471-8405
DOI:10.1093/occmed/kqt142