Stakeholder Views on Work Participation for Workers with Depression and Intersectoral Collaboration in Depression Care: a Focus Group Study with a Salutogenic Perspective

Overview

Journal Scand J Prim Health Care

Specialty Public Health

Date 2023 Aug 1

PMID 37526348

Authors

Heidi Marie Meling

Norman Anderssen

Sabine Ruths

Stefan Hjorleifsson

Inger Haukenes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To explore how stakeholders in depression care view intersectoral collaboration and work participation for workers with depression.

Design: Focus group study applying reflexive thematic analysis using a salutogenic perspective.

Setting And Subjects: We conducted seven focus group interviews in six different regions in Norway with 39 participants (28 women); three groups consisted of general practitioners (GPs), two of psychologists and psychiatrists and two of social welfare workers and employers (of which one group also included GPs).

Results: Stakeholders considered work participation salutary for most workers with depression, given the right conditions (e.g. manageable work accommodations and accepting and inclusive workplaces). They also highlighted work as an integral source of meaningfulness to many workers with depression. Early collaborative efforts and encouraging sick-listed workers to stay connected to the workplace were considered important to avoid long and passive sickness absences. Furthermore, stakeholders' views illuminated why intersectoral collaboration matters in depression care; individual stakeholders have limited information about a worker's situation, but through collaboration and shared insight, especially in in-person collaborative meetings, they (and the worker) can gain a shared understanding of the situation, thereby enabling more optimal support. Ensuring adequate information flow for optimal and timely follow-up of workers was also emphasized.

Conclusions: Stakeholders highlighted the salutary properties of work participation for workers with depression under the right conditions. Intersectoral collaboration could support these conditions by sharing insight and knowledge, building a shared understanding of the worker's situation, assuring proper information flow, and ensuring early and timely follow-up of the worker.

Citing Articles

General practitioners' attitudes and practices regarding sick leave certification for patients with depression in Norway - a cross-sectional study.

Hetlevik O, Ruths S, Grung I, Nilsen S, Bringedal B BMC Health Serv Res. 2024; 24(1):1550.

PMID: 39639244 PMC: 11619211. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11974-1.

Collaboration in the return-to-work process after sick leave due to common mental disorders: a qualitative study of stakeholders' views on goals and roles.

Svard V, Arapovic Johansson Z, Holmlund L, Hellman T, Kwak L, Bjork Bramberg E BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):1567.

PMID: 38862931 PMC: 11165787. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19063-y.

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