[Rehabilitation Status at a Regional Social Insurance Office. Experiences with 103 Clients at the Grünerløkka-Sofienberg Office]

103 patients, mostly females, on rehabilitation measures mainly because of psychiatric conditions and chronic musculo-skeletal pain syndromes, were investigated with regard to outcome. In general, the patients had a low level of education, only 10% had vocational training, and most were unskilled labourers. Prior to the rehabilitation period they had been certified sick on several occasions. On average, the patients were followed up for three years. 84% were still on medical rehabilitation, i.e. they were under more or less systematic medical treatment, and were receiving benefits. 8% had been granted a disability pension, and only 4% had managed to become independent of the social insurance system. Until the recent years the rehabilitation system has functioned inefficiently as regards bringing people back to work. The patients remain inactive for long periods, owing to lack of planning and systematic implementation of rehabilitation measures, medical as well as vocational. In addition the vocational quality requirements of the labour market make it hard for people even with mainly minor health problems to obtain employment.