What is the effect of independent medical evaluation on days on sickness benefits for long-term sick listed employees in Norway? A pragmatic randomised controlled trial, the NIME-trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Independent medical evaluations are used to evaluate degree and reason for work disability, uncertainty around the functional status, and/or the employee's rehabilitation potential in several jurisdictions, but not in Norway. The main aim of this trial was to test the return to work effect of independent medical evaluation (IME) (summoning and consultation) compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in Norway, for workers who have been on continuous sick leave for 6 months.

Methods

This was a pragmatic randomised controlled trial including all employees aged 18-65 years, sick-listed by their general practitioner and on full or partial sick leave for the past 26 weeks in Hordaland County, Norway in 2015/16. Trial candidates were drawn from a central register at the Norwe

SUBMITTER: Mæland S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8881877 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature