Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study)
Abstract Background Depressive disorders can negatively impact work life sustainability for affected individuals. Little is known about depression care trajectories and their association with sustainable return to work (SRTW) after long-term sick leave. This study aimed to identify depression care t...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12406-4 |
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| author | Heidi Marie Meling Valborg Baste Sabine Ruths Norman Anderssen Inger Haukenes |
| author_facet | Heidi Marie Meling Valborg Baste Sabine Ruths Norman Anderssen Inger Haukenes |
| author_sort | Heidi Marie Meling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Depressive disorders can negatively impact work life sustainability for affected individuals. Little is known about depression care trajectories and their association with sustainable return to work (SRTW) after long-term sick leave. This study aimed to identify depression care trajectories during the first three months of sick leave among long-term sick-listed workers with depression and investigate their associations with SRTW. Methods Design Nationwide cohort study using linked data from Norwegian health and population registries. Study population: All inhabitants of Norway aged 20–64 from 1 January 2009 to 1 April 2011, who were diagnosed with depression in general practice, and had reached three months consecutive sick leave (n = 13 624, 63.7% women). Exposure: Depression care trajectories during the first three months of initial sick leave, identified using group-based multi-trajectory modeling. Types of depression care included were general practitioner (GP) consults, GP longer consults and/or talking therapy, antidepressant medication (MED), and specialized mental healthcare. Outcome: SRTW, measured by accumulated all-cause sickness absence days during two-year follow-up after initial sick leave, with cutoffs at 0, ≤ 30, and ≤ 90 days. Analysis: Gender stratified generalized linear models, used to investigate the associations between depression care trajectories and SRTW, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and sick leave duration. Results Four depression care trajectory groups were identified: “GP 12 weeks” (37.2%), “GP 2 weeks” (18.6%), “GP & MED 12 weeks” (40.0%), and “Specialist, GP & MED 12 weeks” (8.7%). The “GP 12 weeks” group (reference) had the highest proportion attaining SRTW for both genders. Men in the “GP 2 weeks” group had a 12–14% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Women in the “Specialist,GP & MED 12 weeks 12 weeks” group had a 19- 23% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Conclusion The association between depression care trajectories and SRTW varies by gender. However, trajectories involving follow-up by the GP, including both standard and longer consults and/or talking therapy over 12 weeks, showed the highest likelihood of SRTW for both genders. Enhancing GP resources could improve SRTW outcomes by allowing more frequent and longer consultations or talking therapy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb86bc5ec53b4d2c9cf2248e87fad61b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb86bc5ec53b4d2c9cf2248e87fad61b2025-08-20T02:14:59ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-02-0125111210.1186/s12913-025-12406-4Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study)Heidi Marie Meling0Valborg Baste1Sabine Ruths2Norman Anderssen3Inger Haukenes4Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE - Norwegian Research CentreResearch Unit for General Practice, NORCE - Norwegian Research CentreResearch Unit for General Practice, NORCE - Norwegian Research CentreDepartment of Psychosocial Science, University of BergenResearch Unit for General Practice, NORCE - Norwegian Research CentreAbstract Background Depressive disorders can negatively impact work life sustainability for affected individuals. Little is known about depression care trajectories and their association with sustainable return to work (SRTW) after long-term sick leave. This study aimed to identify depression care trajectories during the first three months of sick leave among long-term sick-listed workers with depression and investigate their associations with SRTW. Methods Design Nationwide cohort study using linked data from Norwegian health and population registries. Study population: All inhabitants of Norway aged 20–64 from 1 January 2009 to 1 April 2011, who were diagnosed with depression in general practice, and had reached three months consecutive sick leave (n = 13 624, 63.7% women). Exposure: Depression care trajectories during the first three months of initial sick leave, identified using group-based multi-trajectory modeling. Types of depression care included were general practitioner (GP) consults, GP longer consults and/or talking therapy, antidepressant medication (MED), and specialized mental healthcare. Outcome: SRTW, measured by accumulated all-cause sickness absence days during two-year follow-up after initial sick leave, with cutoffs at 0, ≤ 30, and ≤ 90 days. Analysis: Gender stratified generalized linear models, used to investigate the associations between depression care trajectories and SRTW, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and sick leave duration. Results Four depression care trajectory groups were identified: “GP 12 weeks” (37.2%), “GP 2 weeks” (18.6%), “GP & MED 12 weeks” (40.0%), and “Specialist, GP & MED 12 weeks” (8.7%). The “GP 12 weeks” group (reference) had the highest proportion attaining SRTW for both genders. Men in the “GP 2 weeks” group had a 12–14% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Women in the “Specialist,GP & MED 12 weeks 12 weeks” group had a 19- 23% lower likelihood for SRTW compared to the reference. Conclusion The association between depression care trajectories and SRTW varies by gender. However, trajectories involving follow-up by the GP, including both standard and longer consults and/or talking therapy over 12 weeks, showed the highest likelihood of SRTW for both genders. Enhancing GP resources could improve SRTW outcomes by allowing more frequent and longer consultations or talking therapy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12406-4DepressionGeneral practiceSick leaveSustainable return-to-workMental healthDrug therapy |
| spellingShingle | Heidi Marie Meling Valborg Baste Sabine Ruths Norman Anderssen Inger Haukenes Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) BMC Health Services Research Depression General practice Sick leave Sustainable return-to-work Mental health Drug therapy |
| title | Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) |
| title_full | Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) |
| title_fullStr | Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) |
| title_short | Depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long-term sick-listed workers: a register-based study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study) |
| title_sort | depression care trajectories and sustainable return to work among long term sick listed workers a register based study the norwegian gp dep study |
| topic | Depression General practice Sick leave Sustainable return-to-work Mental health Drug therapy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12406-4 |
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