Cooperation between Gatekeepers in Sickness Insurance
Author Information
Author(s): Carina A Thorstensson, Jenny Mathiasson, Barbro Arvidsson, Anders Heide, Ingemar Petersson
Primary Institution: The MORSE project Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Hypothesis
How do social insurance officers perceive their cooperation with health care in managing sick leave?
Conclusion
Improving personal communication between social insurance officers and health care professionals can reduce waiting times for sick-listed individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Personal communication was described as crucial for efficient processes.
- Obstacles to communication included workload and lack of continuity.
- Joint meetings with involved parties were seen as important but rarely occurred.
Takeaway
This study found that social insurance officers think talking directly to doctors is really important for helping people who are sick, but they often can't because of busy schedules.
Methodology
Fifteen social insurance officers were interviewed using a semi-structured guide, and the data was analyzed using a phenomenographic approach.
Potential Biases
The researchers' prior experience as social insurance officers may have influenced the interview and analysis process.
Limitations
The study is based on a small sample size of 15 interviews, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
11 women and 4 men, aged 25–65, with work experience ranging from 1 to 40 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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