Cross-diagnostic aspects in the early stage of long-term sickness absence: A description of experiences, prognostic subgroups for return to work, and work participation

Prolonged sickness absence is costly for society and associated with adverse health outcomes for the individual. After the first few months sick-listed workers have a decreased relative likelihood of returning to work. Thus, interventions after 8-12 weeks of sick leave are often recommended to assist the sick-listed worker back to work. Evidence suggests that similar principles for return to work can be utilized independent of disorder. However, more knowledge regarding cross-diagnostic aspects is needed at this relatively early stage of longterm sick leave. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to provide descriptions of the early stage of long-term sick leave in a cross-diagnostic sample in order to inform early return to workinterventions and early return to work follow-up.

This was performed through observational descriptive methods in three papers exploring three different aspects of early long-term sick leave.