Making the case for Early Intervention and better Management of MSDs

Brigitta Danuser Prof. Dr. Med. Occ. Medicine President fitforworkswiss

Objectives
To agree upon and identify the principles of a good early intervention clinic To identify models and examples of early intervention clinics/ practice To discuss how early intervention can help people stay in work or return to work
Please identify yourself when you speak!

Background of Early Intervention (EI)

Valat (2005): patients with no noticeable improvements after 6-8 weeks are at very high risk for progression to chronic disease Successful interventions: - focused on work-ability, on return to work, on the individual - multidisciplinary: bio-psycho-social, including work - the early the better

Switzerland: SUVA Case-Management

Since 2003: Change of paradigm: from deny and defend to accept and assist Aims: early recognition of complex cases, analyses, intensive care and promotion of return to work Triage: clinical examinations, assessment of personality, social environment and professional environment Outcome: 2010: 41% less invalidity cases since 2003, costs 48% reduced. Only for SUVA insured, centred on accidents

Switzerland: MDS not related to an accident

Management insufficient: - early recognition: difficult - multidisciplinary intervention or EI clinics very sparse - care not focused on workability - inclusion of employers and professional environment: practically lacking Lausanne: 26.10.2012: workshop to assess feasibility of a transdisciplinary EI clinic.

Discussion
Good practice examples to share? National context Principles of EI? Inclusion of professional environment? How to promote EI in different national contexts