Improving motivation and goal setting for return to work in a population on sick leave: a controlled study

Limited knowledge precludes evidence-based interventions targeting return to work among employees on sick leave. The objective of this study was to examine the vocational effect of an intervention focused on motivation, goal setting, and planning of return to work.

A total of 2,795 people, across 6 municipalities, on sick leave for at least 21 days received a questionnaire; 1,256 with a self-assessed poor prognosis for fast return to work were eligible for the study. An examination by a specialist in social medicine, followed by additional counselling by a social worker, was offered to 510 residents in two municipalities and accepted by 264 (52%). The goal was to enhance motivation, goal setting, and planning of return to work. Residents in the remaining municipalities (n=746) received the standard case management offered by the municipalities; 845 (67%) persons completed a follow-up questionnaire gathering data on general health and employment status. The duration of the sick leave was analysed by Cox regression, and the chance of being gainfully employed was analysed by logistic regression analysis, both adjusted for several covariates.

The intervention neither shortened sick leave periods nor increased the likelihood of gainful employment after one year (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.45-1.28).

A low-cost counselling programme addressing motivation, goal setting, and planning of return to work did not improve vocational outcomes or reduce the duration of sick leave.