As the adage goes, you can't manage what you can't measure.

Sickness absence is considered to be a major problem with in Great Britain. Over the last five years there have been a number of initiatives to manage both short-term and long-term sickness absence. The UK researchers evaluated the information available from national data sets and surveillance schemes. The aim was to evaluate whether there was one database that could be consistently used to observe changes in sickness absence over time.

The authors looked at the databases available, such as a database of incapacity benefit statistics. They also looked at the various surveys that have been undertaken, such as the Labour Force survey, GP surveillance surveys, government surveys and employer organisations surveys.

The researchers, having looked at all of this information, concluded that there was no comprehensive measure of musculoskeletal-related sickness absence. They noted that each survey had its limitations, such as having a low response rate, only looking at a specific group, or didn't include sufficient information about the health problems.

They concluded that further work on national statistics was required to be able to evaluate trends over time.

The situation is replicated in Australia. Data is available through separate databases of statistics, although these are not collated. Time off work or incapacity benefits are paid through compensation systems, the disability support pension, income protection policies, sick leave paid for by employers, and through total and permanent disablement claims through superannuation and private policies. Others are off work with musculoskeletal or other health conditions and are not being paid.

To understand the burden of sickness absence, we need a well coordinated data set that can be monitored and evaluated over time. We consider this should be a national priority, particularly with the workforce shortages that are predicted to occur over the next two to three decades.
 

Authors

Linaker C, Harris EC, Cooper C, Coggon D, Palmer KT.

Institution

MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hants SO16 6YD, UK.

Title

The burden of sickness absence from musculoskeletal causes in Great Britain.

Source

Occup Med (Lond). 2011 Oct;61(7):458-64. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqr061. Epub 2011 Jun 6.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
National initiatives to prevent and/or manage sickness absence require a database from which trends can be monitored.

AIMS:
To evaluate the information provided by surveillance schemes and publicly available data sets on sickness absence nationally from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

METHODS:
A grey literature search was undertaken using the search engine Google, supplemented by leads from consultees from academia, industry, employers, lay interest groups and government. We abstracted data on the outcomes and populations covered and made quantitative estimates of MSD-related sickness absence, overall and, where distinguishable, by subdiagnosis. The coverage and limitations of each source were evaluated.

RESULTS:
Sources included the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and its Self-reported Work-related Illness survey module, the THOR-GP surveillance scheme, surveys by national and local government, surveys by employers' organizations and a database of benefit statistics. Each highlighted MSDs as a leading cause of sickness absence. Data limitations varied by source, but typically included lack of diagnostic detail and restriction of focus to selected subgroups (e.g. work-ascribed or benefit-awarded cases, specific employment sectors). Additionally, some surveys had very low response rates, were completed only by proxy respondents or ranked only the perceived importance of MSD-related sickness absence, rather than measuring it.

CONCLUSIONS:
National statistics on MSD-related sickness absence are piecemeal and incomplete. This limits capacity to plan and monitor national policies in an important area of public health. Simple low-cost additions to the LFS would improve the situation.

PubMed Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21652574