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Table 3 Description of 12 PIs for OP’s guideline adherence in workers’ medical records and criteria for their scoring [31]

From: Effectiveness of a tailored implementation strategy to improve adherence to a guideline on mental health problems in occupational health care

PI

Criteria

Scoringa

1. Process diagnosis

 1.1

Monitoring the recovery phase of the worker

The process of recovery (i.e. phase of the recovery process: crisis phase, problem solving phase, implementation phase) should be monitored throughout the sickness absence period

0 = Recovery phase not documented

1 = Recovery phase occasionally documented

2 = Recovery phase regularly documented

 1.2

Assessment of the worker’s recovery tasks

The tasks needed to achieve recovery should be assessed throughout the sickness absence period (e.g. gaining insight into what happened, accepting the situation, regain day structure, problem identification and finding solutions, implement solutions, regain roles)

0 = Recovery tasks not documented

1 = Recovery tasks occasionally documented

2 = Recovery tasks regularly documented

 1.3

Assessment of the employers’ perspective

The way the employer (e.g. supervisor, management, human resource management) copes with the sick-listed worker and their perspective on recovery should be assessed during the sickness absence period

0 = No information about employers’ perspective

1 = Occasional information about employers’ perspective

2 = Clear description of the employers’ perspective in relation to the worker’s situation

2. Problem orientation

 2.1

Problem identification

The relation between factors that influence the mental health problems and performance at work and home should be identified (e.g. overburdened by high workload or work conflict or lack of social support)

0 = Problems not documented

1 = Problems documented, relation with performance not documented

2 = Problems and their relation with performance documented

 2.2

Assessment of symptoms

Presence or absence of essential symptoms of mental health problems should be assessed (i.e. distress, depression, anxiety, and somatization)

0 = No symptoms documented

1 = Symptoms occasionally documented

2 = Presence or absence of the essential symptoms documented

 2.3

Diagnosis

Diagnosis based on ICD-10 and supported with arguments

0 = No diagnosis documented

1 = Diagnosis documented without arguments

2 = Diagnosis documented, including arguments

3. Intervention/Treatment

 3.1

Evaluation of the worker’s course of the recovery process

The course of the recovery process (stagnation or recovery process as expected) should be evaluated and supported with arguments.

0 = Course of recovery process not documented

1 = Course of recovery process documented without arguments

2 = Course of recovery process documented including arguments

 3.2

Treatment in accordance with the worker’s recovery process

IF recovery process is ‘as expected’ the OP acts as process manager by monitoring the process of recovery and using minimal interventions.

IF recovery process stagnates the OP also acts as care manager by providing a more extensive guidance with treatment based on cognitive behavioral techniques, providing the employer with advice on recovery and the RTW process, contacting other health care professionals (e.g. general practitioner, psychologist), and if necessary referring the worker to specialized care.

0 = Treatment is not in accordance with the recovery process

1 = Treatment is in accordance with the recovery process without argumentation

2 = Treatment is in accordance with the recovery process including argumentation

4. Relapse prevention

 4.1

Relapse prevention

Relapse prevention should be integrated during consultations AND the OP has at least one consultation with the worker after full RTW

0 = No information on relapse prevention documented

1 = Information on relapse prevention during or after the sickness absence period documented

2 = Information on relapse prevention during the sickness absence period documented AND OP had at least one consultation with the worker after full RTW

5. Continuity of care/Evaluation

 5.1

Rapid first consultation

First face-to-face consultation within 15 days from the 1st day of sickness absence.

0 = First consultation after 22 days

1 = First consultation between 15 and 22 days

2 = First consultation within 15 days

 5.2

Regular contact with the worker

Consultations with the worker take place every 3 weeks during the first 3 months of sickness absence. Thereafter consultations take place every 6 weeks.

0 = Interval between consultations 6 weeks or more during first 3 months AND 9 weeks or more thereafter

1 = Interval between consultations 4–5 weeks during first 3 months AND 7–8 weeks thereafter

2 = Interval between consultations less than 4 weeks during first 3 months AND less than 7 weeks thereafter

 5.3

Regular contact with the employer

OP contacts the employer (e.g. supervisor, manager, human resource manager) during the sickness absence period every 4 weeks.

0 = Contacts every 8 weeks or more

1 = Contacts every 5–8 weeks

2 = Contacts every 4 weeks or less

  1. Source: Van Beurden et al., 2018 [32]
  2. PI Performance indicator, RTW Return to work, OP Occupational physician
  3. aScoring: 0 = no adherence, 1 = minimal adherence, 2 = adequate adherence