Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40304795›Full record

ArticleSocial psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology2025

Return to work after sick leave due to mental illness - a qualitative study on the perspective of workplace integration managers.

Anna Pelizäus, Martina Geipel, Johannes Hamann

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Anna PelizäusDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, München, Germany. anna.pelizaeus@tum.de.
Martina GeipelDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, Geschwister-Schönert-Straße 1, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
Johannes HamannDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, München, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimIncreasing numbers of people are unable to work due to mental illness and this is an increasing problem on both a personal and societal level. In Germany, a workplace integration management system (BEM) has been legally required since 2004 to support return to work (RTW). However, its uptake and success, especially regarding mental illnesses, is still unclear. This study was conducted to identify the current state of RTW after episodes of mental illnesses from the perspective of workplace integration managers and explore potential barriers and facilitators that influence the course and outcome of the BEM process.

methodsSemi-structured interviews with BEM managers (N = 14) from the greater Munich area were performed and analyzed using Thematic Analysis.

resultsIn their work, BEM managers tend to find themselves in a field of tension between the personal concerns of returning employees and the employer's business interests. They experience mistrust and lack of openness on the part of the returnees, while employers show little willingness to fully invest in the process. Lack of or incorrect information about BEM and on mental illness seems to promote these disruptive factors, as well as others.

conclusionBroad education on BEM appears to be a promising means to reduce fear among returnees and to better reach the processes potential. In addition, a more open approach to mental illness could simplify the process for all involved.

Indexed as

Mental DisordersReturn to WorkSick LeaveWorkplaceAdultEmploymentFemaleGermanyHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchBEM managerMental disordersQualitative researchReturn to workThematic analysisWorkplace

Identifiers

PMID40304795
PMCPMC12449415

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.