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A Naturalistic Trial of the Norwegian Sickness Absence Clinic. The NSAC Efficacy Study
Sponsor: Nordlandssykehuset HF
Summary
The Norwegian Sickness Absence Clinic (NSAC) is a publicly funded specialist outpatient health service, which is uniquely available for the work force. The overall aim of the NSAC is prevention of sickness absence, promote return to work (RTW) among those on sickness absence and prevent long term disability benefit dependency. In addition to being a health service, the NSAC has a focus on work and functional recovery, including also non-health related factors. Patients can be referred by general practitioners for mental health problems and musculoskeletal problems. The NSAC has a lower threshold for severity than specialist health services generally, and in particular for mental health problems. The efficacy of this service is unknown. The NSAC Efficacy Study is a randomized controlled multicentre trial which aims to assess the effect of the NSAC service. "Helse i Arbeid" is the Norwegian name for NSAC, and the Norwegian abbreviation is "HiA". The Norwegian study name is HIANOR. The NSAC Efficacy Study involves five different NSACs across northern Norway, and will recruit 2500 patients, randomized to in equal proportions to three treatment arms: 1. NSAC - rapid: treatment at the NSAC at- or within 4 weeks 2. NSAC - ordinary: treatment at the NSAC after 10-14 weeks 3. NSAC - active control: monodisciplinary examination at the NSAC close to diagnosis-specific deadline for examination as suggested by guidelines (8-26 weeks, the majority at the end of this interval) The overall aim is to assess the effect of the NSAC service, with the hypothesis that the NSAC service is superior to what resembles treatment as usual (TAU) for outcomes such as return to work or improved health (waiting list control). Many of the diagnoses or problems for which patients are referred to the NSACs naturally improve regardless of health interventions, and - as of date - no research has been conducted to assess the efficacy of the service.
Official title: A Naturalistic Efficacy Trial of the Norwegian Sickness Absence Clinic for Patients With Common Mental Disorder and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
2500
Start Date
2023-01-16
Completion Date
2034-10
Last Updated
2026-04-08
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
NSAC - rapid
NSAC is an outpatient service delivered under the auspices of the specialist health care sector to patients currently on sick leave or at risk for long-term sickness absence. The service is staffed by medical doctors specialising in muskuloskeletal health, physiotherapists, psychologists and welfare sector counsellors, and aims to provide patients with a multi-diciplinary clarification or treatment of problems with the intent of improved function and return to work. Clinicians are provided survey information on the patients potential health problems, motivation for work, barriers for return to work and work environment prior to consultation. In this intervention arm, patients are offered treatment within 4 weeks of referral.
NSAC - ordinary
NSAC is an outpatient service delivered under the auspices of the specialist health care sector to patients currently on sick leave or at risk for long-term sickness absence. The service is staffed by medical doctors specialising in muskuloskeletal health, physiotherapists, psychologists and welfare sector counsellors, and aims to provide patients with a multi-diciplinary clarification or treatment of problems with the intent of improved function and return to work. Clinicians are provided survey information on the patients potential health problems, motivation for work, barriers for return to work and work environment prior to consultation. In this intervention arm, patients are offered treatment at 10-14 weeks after referral.
NSAC - active control
The active control intervention is provided by the NSAC personnel, but patients are offered a single monodisciplinary examination close to the end of the diagnosis-specific deadline suggested in guidelines, which will vary between 8-26 weeks. Employment counsellors may not be involved in consultations, other cross-disciplinary consultations are restricted, and work-related factors are not to be focused on during examination. Clinicians are provided survey information only on the patient's potential health problems prior to consultation. Patients are provided a health-focused examination, with the aim of symptom-relief.
Locations (5)
Helse I Arbeid Nordlandssykehuset
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
Helse I Arbeid Helgelandssykehuset
Sandnessjøen, Nordland, Norway
Helsepartner Rehabilitering Alta
Alta, Troms Og Finnmark, Norway
Helse I Arbeid Finnmarkssykehuset
Kirkenes, Troms Og Finnmark, Norway
Helse I Arbeid Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge
Tromsø, Troms Og Finnmark, Norway