Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .
Cost-effectiveness of an activating intervention by social workers for patients with minor mental disorders on sick leave: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Sickness absence often occurs in patients with emotional distress or minor mental disorders . In several European countries , these patients are over-represented among those receiving illness benefits , and interventions are needed . The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an intervention conducted by social workers , design ed to reduce sick leave duration in patients absent from work owing to emotional distress or minor mental disorders . METHODS In this R and omized Controlled Trial , patients were recruited by GPs . The intervention group ( N = 98 ) received an activating , structured treatment by social workers , the  control group ( N = 96 ) received routine GP care .  Sick leave duration , clinical symptoms , and medical consumption ( consumption of medical staffs ' time as well as consumption of drugs ) were measured at baseline and 3 , 6 , and 18 months later . RESULTS Neither for sick leave duration nor for clinical improvement over time were significant differences found between the groups . Also the associated costs were not significantly lower in the intervention group . CONCLUSIONS Compared with usual GP care , the activating social work intervention was not superior in reducing sick leave duration , improving clinical symptoms , and decreasing medical consumption . It was also not cost-effective compared with GP routine care in the treatment of minor mental disorders . Therefore , further implementation of the intervention is not justified . Potentially , programmes aim ed at reducing sick leave duration in patients with minor mental disorders carried out closer to the workplace ( e.g. by occupational physicians ) are more successful than programmes in primary care
Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .