Feature adjustments include a quieter space to work , a quiet space for relaxation , provide additional time for administration tasks , postpone additional projects until settled into compulsory tasks of role .’
The patient , their employer and occupational therapist also meet to agree what would be reasonable .
After six sessions of intervention , the patient returns to their education-based role . At three months after discharge , the patient reports they have achieved and sustained a phased return to work and continue to access supportive adjustments . After 10 months , they remained in their place of employment with no certified episodes of sickness absence .
Without the VROT service , the patient would have likely experienced further sickness absence . This increases risk of unemployment ( Black and Frost 2011 ).
The cost of the intervention ( about £ 250 ) was less than the costs of unemployment ( from £ 4,000 to £ 17,000 a year ), meaning cost savings were between £ 3,750 and £ 16,750 . Cost savings over the 107 employed patients who used the service could have been considerably more .
We do improve return to work rates
It is clear that occupational therapy assessment and intervention skills improve return to work rates and make better use of the ‘ may be fit ’ option on the fit note .
The VROT service has also supported an increase in patients with disabilities and health conditions being able to access reasonable adjustments , promoting health equity in the workplace . The service provides cost benefits by reducing potential unemployment rates .
Percentage reduction of patients in work , but with reported difficulty
Percentage reduction in sickness absence
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Black C , Frost D ( 2011 ) Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence . Available at bit . ly / 3RU832O [ accessed 24 May 2023 ].
Drummond A , Coole C , Nouri F et al ( 2020 ) Using occupational therapists in vocational clinics in primary care : a feasibility study . BMC Family Practice , 21 ( 268 ). DOI bit . ly / 3RGk9wC .
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2020 ) Summary report : Occupational therapy-led vocational clinics in GP surgeries ( OTVoc ). Available at bit . ly / 48JHFia [ accessed 21 September 2022 ].
NHS Digital ( 2022 ) Fit notes issued by GP practices official statistics . Available at bit . ly / 46Cmv3P [ accessed 10 January 2023 ].
Occupational therapy-completed fit notes
© AJ _ Watt via Getty Images
Words EMMA BORTHWICK , previously Occupational Therapist , Vocational Rehabilitation , at Hackney Marshes Primary Care Network , ACRT , Homerton Healthcare NHS Trust , and CATHERINE ATKINSON , Adult Community Rehabilitation Team at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , catherine . atkinson1 @ nhs . net