NCT02524392

Effect Evaluation of Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) in Norway

Effect Evaluation of Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) After Six Months Sick Leave: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Independent Medical Evaluation (IME) Versus Treatment as Usual in Norway

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 7,642 (actual)
• Sponsor: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 66 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

A randomized controlled trial comparing independent medical evaluation (IME) to treatment as usual (TAU). Participants will be individuals reaching six months uninterrupted sickness absence. Treatment as usual (TAU) is normal follow-up by a general practitioner (GP).

Detailed description

A randomized controlled trial in a Norwegian context, involving an effect evaluation, a cost-benefit evaluation and a qualitative evaluation. Independent medical evaluation (IME) will be compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Independent medical evaluation (IME) will comprise a consultation with an independent general practitioner (IME GP) who will assess whether the sick listed worker has been given eligible and available opportunities in return to work follow-up in Norway. The independent medical evaluation general practitioner (IME GP) will write a short report that is sent to the treating general practitioner as input from a colleague. The report can be used in the follow-up of the sick listed participant. The participants in the treatment as usual (TAU) group will not receive any other follow-up than normal follow-up by the treating general practitioner. The qualitative evaluation will be conducted to gain insight into the experiences of the general practitioners and the participants.

Conditions

• All International Classification of Primary Care 2 Diagnoses

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Independent medical evaluation	The independent medical evaluation (IME) will be performed by specialists in general medicine, temporarily hired by the county welfare service. The independent medical evaluation (IME) procedure is developed by the Research Unit for General Practice at Uni Research Health in Norway.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-09-01
• Primary completion: 2018-02-01
• Completion: 2018-03-01
• First posted: 2015-08-14
• Last updated: 2018-05-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Norway