[Assessment, treatment and counselling of patients claiming sick leave and disability: recommendation from the Health Council]

Abstract

As requested by the Minister for Social Services and Employment, the Health Council of The Netherlands reviewed existing medical guidelines on the assessment, treatment and counselling of patients claiming sick leave and disability. These guidelines were developed separately by physicians concerned with their own specific fields. The Health Council recommends the development of more encompassing guidelines, based on scientific evidence whenever possible, starting with 10 diagnoses that frequently lead to long-term industrial disability. The assessment of long-term disability is complex and varies for each individual. The contribution of scientific 'evidence' remains modest. It is not possible to predict permanent disability with lists of diseases and corresponding medical prognoses. It may be possible to support the assessment by 'mediprudence', cases of example. The recommendation of the Health Council offers perspective toward qualitatively improved assessment of the effects of diseases on patient functioning.