@article{LindenMuschallaHansmeieretal.2014,
  author    = {Linden, Michael and Muschalla, Beate and Hansmeier, Thomas and Sandner, Gabriele},
  title     = {Reduction of sickness absence by an occupational health care management program focusing on self-efficacy and self-management},
  series = {Work : a journal of prevention, assessment \& rehabilitation},
  volume    = {47},
  journal   = {Work : a journal of prevention, assessment \& rehabilitation},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1051-9815},
  doi       = {10.3233/WOR-131616},
  pages     = {485 -- 489},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {BACKGROUND: The aim of occupational health care management programs (OHMP) is to improve the health status of employees, increase work ability and reduce absence time. This includes better coping abilities, work-related self-efficacy and self-management which are important abilities that should be trained within OHMPs. OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness of an OHMP including special interventions to enhance self-efficacy and self-management. PARTICIPANTS: Employees from the German Federal Pension Agency. METHODS: Effects of an OHMP on sickness absence was studied by comparing an intervention group (N = 159) and two control groups (N = 450). A core feature of the OHMP were group sessions with all members of working teams, focussing on self-efficacy and self management of the individual participant as well as the team as a group (focus groups). Participants in the OHMP were asked for their subjective evaluation of the focus groups. Rates of sickness absence were taken from the routine data of the employer. RESULTS: Participants of the OHMP indicated that they had learned better ways of coping and communication and that they had generated intentions to make changes in their working situation. The rate of sickness absence in the intervention group decreased from 9.26\% in the year before the OHMP to 7.93\% in the year after the program, while there was in the same time an increase of 7.9\% and 10.7\% in the two control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that OHMP with focus on self-efficacy and self management of individuals and teams are helpful in reducing work absenteeism.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MuschallaLinden2014,
  author    = {Muschalla, Beate and Linden, Michael},
  title     = {Workplace phobia, workplace problems, and work ability among primary care patients with chronic mental disorders},
  series = {Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine},
  volume    = {27},
  journal   = {Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {American Board of Family Medicine},
  address   = {Lexington},
  issn      = {1557-2625},
  doi       = {10.3122/jabfm.2014.04.130308},
  pages     = {486 -- 494},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Purpose: Work-related anxieties are frequent and have a negative effect on the occupational performance of patients and absence due to sickness. Most important is workplace phobia, that is, panic when approaching or even thinking of the workplace. This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of workplace phobia among primary care patients suffering from chronic mental disorders and to describe which illness-related or workplace-specific context factors are associated with workplace phobia. Methods: A convenience sample of 288 primary care patients with chronic mental disorders (70\% women) seen by 40 primary care clinicians in Germany were assessed using a standardized diagnostic interview about mental disorders and workplace problems. Workplace phobia was assessed by the Workplace Phobia Scale and a structured Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders-based diagnostic interview. In addition, capacity and participation restrictions, illness severity, and sick leave were assessed. Results: Workplace phobia was found in 10\% of patients with chronic mental disorders, that is, approximately about 3\% of all general practice patients. Patients with workplace phobia had longer durations of sick leave than patients without workplace phobia and were impaired to a higher degree in work-relevant capacities. They also had a higher degree of restrictions in participation in other areas of life. Conclusions: Workplace phobia seems to be a frequent problem in primary care. It may behoove primary care clinicians to consider workplace-related anxiety, including phobia, particularly when patients ask for a work excuse for nonspecific somatic complaints.},
  language  = {en}
}