Majority of occupational health care costs allocated to patients with musculoskeletal or mental disorders
Background Musculoskeletal and mental disorders are key disease groups that threaten the work ability of employees. In this registry study, we examined how employees, especially those diagnosed with a musculoskeletal or mental disorder, use occupational health care (OH) services.
MethodsThe research material consisted of OH patient data from 87,468 employees from the year 2018. The study examined how the use of services is distributed among patient groups and how various OH services are targeted to these employees. The use of services was examined by assessing OH costs and the services incurring them (compensation category and professional group).
ResultsThe majority (73%) of OH costs were allocated to employees diagnosed with musculoskeletal or mental disorders (49% of all patients). The costs of service use and sick leave days per employee were substantially higher than average in this group. Only about a third of patients had an appointment with a physical therapist (musculoskeletal patients) or a psychologist (patients with mental disorders).
ConclusionsMusculoskeletal and mental disorders are significant threats to work ability. Physician services account for a major share of costs. In the future it is important to ensure that the reimbursement system supports the implementation and use of interventions that previous research has shown to be effective.
Yrjänä Hynninen, Mari Lahelma, Antti Rissanen, Samuli Voltti, Kristiina Patja, Matias Posa, Paulus Torkki, Kari Reijula, Riikka-Leena Leskelä
Riikka-Leena Leskelä
D.Sc. (Tech.), Research Director
Nordic Healthcare Group