To define the cost-effectiveness of a back school program in industry, a controlled longitudinal field study was carried out in a Dutch bus company. The experimental group received a program consisting of information on back care, physical fitness, nutrition, stress, and relaxation. Objective data on absenteeism were collected and compared during a 6-year period for the control and experimental groups. Results showed that a tailor-made back school program reduced absenteeism by at least 5 days per year per employee, therefore being cost-effective to industry. A reduction was not observed in incidence, but in mean length of absenteeism. This effect turned out to be persistent during a 2-year period following the program.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Versloot et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: