Use of a Decision Support Tool on Prognosis of Work Ability in Work Disability Assessments: An Experimental Study Among Insurance Physicians.

Purpose Assessment of prognosis of work disability is a challenging task for occupational health professionals. An evidence-based decision support tool, based on a prediction model, could aid professionals in the decision-making process. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of such a tool on Dutch insurance physicians' (IPs) prognosis of work ability and their prognostic confidence, and assess IPs' attitudes towards use of the tool.

Association between retirement and mortality: working longer, living longer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: This study summarised available evidence on the association between early and on-time retirement, compared with continued working, and mortality. Moreover, this study investigated whether and to what extent gender, adjustment for demographics and prior health status influence this association.

Methods: A systematic literature search of longitudinal studies was conducted.

Predicting Long-Term Sickness Absence and Identifying Subgroups Among Individuals Without an Employment Contract.

Purpose Today, decreasing numbers of workers in Europe are employed in standard employment relationships. Temporary contracts and job insecurity have become more common. This study among workers without an employment contract aimed to (i) predict risk of long-term sickness absence and (ii) identify distinct subgroups of sick-listed workers.

Preferences regarding the way of use and design of a work ability prognosis support tool: a focus group study among professionals.

Purpose: To explore the preferable way of use and design of a work ability prognosis support tool for insurance physicians (IPs) and labour experts (LEs), based on a prediction model for future changes in work ability among individuals applying for a work disability benefit.

Methods: We conducted three focus groups with professionals of the Dutch Social Security Institute (17 IPs and 7 LEs). Data were audio recorded and qualitatively analysed according to the main principles of thematic analysis.

Does self-perceived health correlate with physician-assessed functional limitations in medical work disability assessments?

Objective: Our purpose was to obtain information about the correlation between workers' self-perceived health and physician-assessed functional limitations. We also studied whether this correlation differed between workers with subjective health complaints that cannot (SHC) and those that can be explained (non-SHC) by a well-defined medical disease.

Methods: Baseline data of 2040 participants from a prospective cohort study were used for this study.