The cost-effectiveness of a back school program in industry. A longitudinal controlled field study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Economics

Background:

• Workplace absenteeism due to back problems is a significant cost to industry.
• Effective interventions are needed to reduce the economic burden of back-related absenteeism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a tailored back school program in an industrial setting.
• To assess the impact of the program on employee absenteeism over a 6-year period.

Main Methods:

• A controlled longitudinal field study was conducted at a Dutch bus company.
• An experimental group received a comprehensive back school program (back care, fitness, nutrition, stress, relaxation).
• Objective absenteeism data were collected and compared between the control and experimental groups over six years.

Main Results:

• The back school program significantly reduced annual absenteeism by at least 5 days per employee.
• The reduction in absenteeism was primarily due to a shorter mean length of absence, not incidence.
• The positive effect on absenteeism persisted for at least two years post-program.

Conclusions:

• A tailor-made back school program is a cost-effective intervention for reducing industrial absenteeism.
• Targeting the length of absenteeism, rather than incidence, can yield significant economic benefits.
• The long-term persistence of the program's effects supports its value in occupational health strategies.