Biomedical subjects

Curt Edlund

Publications and source records attributed to Curt Edlund.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Experiences within the process of sick leave.

The aim of this study was to explore what individuals who have been on sick leave experienced as important in the process of returning to work, moving to long-term sick leave, or receiving a disability pension. Grounded Theory was used for interpreting interviews with 15 people who had been on sick leave four years previously. In the results four ideal types were crystallized which are presented in the form of vignettes. The ideal types were discussed focusing on occupational life using the Model of Human Occupation and the theories of Sense of Coherence and Status Passage. The study provided a deeper understanding of people's experiences during the process of their sick leave. Valuable predictors for re-entry into work or disability retirement were: individual mental resources; clear or unclear diagnosis; how long had been spent in the sick-leave process; and personal belief in an ability to work in the future. The interventions and support given by professionals and the social environment, the balance and sense of coherence in life, and participation in the sick leave process were also important. The idealtypes found could be helpful to professionals working in this field in deepening their understanding of the clients.

Persons with Disabilities↗

PubMed2006

Factors relevant to a return to work: a multivariate approach.

This paper contributes to the understanding of the factors that are significant for returning to work, and identifies factors that might be used early on in a period of sick leave to discern whether people are likely to work again. In the design, the multivariate Partial Least Squares (PLS) of Latent Structures method was used to analyse information from a questionnaire containing socio-demographic items, and information on symptoms, consequences on daily life, expectations and psychosocial factors. Data about the incidence of sickness over a four-year period was included. 121 adults aged 18-64 years on sick leave participated, irrespective of their diagnoses. A reliable prediction of a return to work required the combination of many factors: individual psychosocial instruments are not useful when considered in isolation. The strongest predictive factors for a return to work concern the individuals' expectations, the number of days of sick leave taken in the past, somatic disorders, and a high level of life satisfaction and sense of coherence. Many factors influence the outcome for people on sick leave: PLS analysis demonstrated that a multivariate approach using this method could predict the long-term outcome early on in a period of sick leave.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Significant resources needed for return to work after sick leave.

There are increasing numbers of people on long-term sick leave, especially with stress-related ill health and musculoskeletal disorders. The main purpose of this study is to, early on in the sick leave, find predictors of individual resources for a return to work. The study group consists of women and men on sick leave compared with reference groups of healthy persons. A questionnaire was used regarding diagnosis given on the doctor's certificate, self-reported symptoms, residential area, education, and kind of work. It also contained open questions about consequences in daily life and beliefs about future. Checklists concerning life satisfaction, sense of coherence, locus of control, coping resources and sick leave information over a four-year period have been used. Significant differences between the study group and the reference groups were found, relating to sense of coherence, locus of control, life satisfaction and coping resources. More than half of the study group were still on sick leave at a two-year follow-up. Important predictive factors turned out to be: previous sick leave, own belief about future and self-reported symptoms.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2002

The physician's role in the vocational rehabilitation process.

PURPOSE: To describe and analyse physicians' experiences of working with sick-listing and vocational rehabilitation, their perceptions of their co-actors and the interaction they participate in. METHOD: Thematic interviews with 14 physicians in Västerbotten County, northern Sweden. The physicians were active in primary or occupational health care, or as hospital doctors. The interviews were conducted during the autumn of 1996. The interviews were tape recorded and analysed according to Grounded theory. RESULTS: Feelings of isolation and diminished control, lack of time and increased demands are all seen as obstacles for doing an optimal job with sick-listing and rehabilitation. Other obstacles are insufficient knowledge regarding the labour market and the social insurance legislation. Interaction between primary and in-patient care does not function satisfactorily. The doctors believe in their patients and a majority of the doctors feel that the patients' own understanding of/need for sick-listing guides the doctor in his or her position regarding sick-listing. To facilitate return to work, the doctors encourage part-time sick-listing. CONCLUSIONS: The interviews show that the physicians experience a growing discrepancy between ideal and reality. They want to be able to act as "team players", but experience increasing demands due to the increased number of patients who are sicker than before. The doctors experience that decision latitude has diminished and this has been followed by less time for patients.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2002

Socioeconomic prognosis after a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure in adults: a population-based case-control study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the socioeconomic prognosis after a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure in adults. METHODS: Sixty-three patients 17 years or older with a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure from 1985 through 1987 and 107 sex- and age- matched controls were followed up for 10 years to 1996. Studied variables were income, source of income, sickness periods, incapacity rate, diagnosis-specific incapacity rate, vocational status, and education. RESULTS: Relative growth of income was similar between patients and controls during follow-up. Patients had lower income than did controls 2 years before seizure onset and during the entire follow-up. This was related to higher morbidity among patients, as measured by sickness periods and incapacity rate. Employment rates did not evolve negatively among patients after seizure onset and were close to employment rates of controls during follow-up time. There was no difference between patients and controls regarding education. CONCLUSIONS: After a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure in adults, no negative development regarding employment and education occurs. Income development is positive unless refractory seizures evolve. However, income is lower among patients with epilepsy than among controls, and this difference can be related to overall morbidity.

Adolescent↗