Affiliations: Centre for Studies on National Social Insurance,
Department of Health Science, Mid-Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Section of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences,
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
Note: [] Address for correspondence: John Selander, Centre for Studies on
National Social Insurance, Mid-Sweden University, S-831 25 Ostersund, Sweden.
Tel.: +46 63 16 57 56; Fax: +46 63 16 56 26; E-mail: john.selander@mh.se
Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether
Case Management and the strengths model could be a successful method in
vocational rehabilitation of unemployed people on long term sick leave in
Sweden. An additional aim was to further highlight the actual rehabilitation
process. Material and method: Ten clients, five men and five women aged
between 35 and 40, were included in the project. All ten were at the project
start both long-term unemployed (2–13 years) and on long term sick leave
(2–6 years). The project was evaluated from four perspectives: Quality of
life (SF 36), sickness absence, and contact with working life were investigated
before and after the project. The rehabilitation process was investigated
during and after the project. Results and conclusion: The result from the study was positive. Of
the 10 clients who participated in the project, six have improved their quality
of life, seven have a diminished sickness absence and seven have a closer
contact to working life after the project than before. With regards to the
rehabilitation process, the results here also impart a positive picture. It
should be noted, however, that the study is small and not based on a random
sample. The results should not be generalized, but recognized instead as a
positive indication.
