Professionals’ experiences of what affects health outcomes in the sick leave and rehabilitation process—A qualitative study from primary care level

Objective: To explore frontline employees’ experiences of how to create a purposeful sick leave and rehabilitation process (SRP) with the best interest of patients’ long-term health in focus. Methods: Qualitative design based on focus group interviews in a primary care context in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden. Strategically selected professionals from different SRP organizations discussed sick leave outcomes and the rehabilitation process. Analysis was performed with Systematic text condensation. Subjects: General practitioners (n = 6), rehabilitation coordinators and/or healthcare professionals from primary healthcare (n = 13), caseworkers from the Social Insurance Agency, the Employment Agency, and Social Services (n = 12). Results: The outcome of the SRP was described to depend upon the extent to which the process meets patients’ bio-psycho-social needs. Aspects considered crucial were: 1) early bio-psycho-social assessments, including medical specialist consultations when needed, 2) long-term realistic planning of sick leave and rehabilitation alongside medical treatment, 3) access to a wide range of early rehabilitative and supportive interventions, including situation-based, non-medical practical problem solving, and 4) trusting relationships over time for all involved professions and roles to maximize process quality and person-centeredness. A gap between the desired scope of the SRP and existing guidelines was identified. Conclusion: Interviewees perceived that successful outcomes from the sick leave and rehabilitation process in a primary care context depend on consensus, person-centeredness, and relationship continuity for all involved professions. An extended process scope and relationship continuity for all involved professionals were suggested to improve process outcomes.