BMJ  2005;330:1087 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1087-b

Letter

Long term sickness absence

Motivation rather than ability to work may be key

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Henderson et al write that sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem.¹ Undoubtedly, it is a major economic problem, but apparently it does not serve as an appropriate tool to measure public health.

Norway has some of the highest incidences of sickness absence in the world, but only 10% of the working population is responsible for over 80% of the absence.² Disorders of various origins that often lead to disability and unemployment have largely been neglected in medical research. The core complaints are often subjective and cannot be demonstrated by objective testing.

Apparently reasons for sickness absence have been considered political problems and have not gained sufficient attention from the medical and scientific communities. Methodologically rigorous, longitudinal, and interventional studies are needed to determine characteristics that are associated with the motivation to work rather than the ability. Interventions that seem effective in restoring this interest . . . [Full text of this article]

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway ulf.dahle@fhi.no

Institute of Oral Biology, Dental Faculty, PO Box 1052 Blindern, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo

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