Chronic illness: reintegration promotes employability

01 Situation

A 45-year-old cleaner in Aargau repeatedly suffered from acute pain due to activated omarthrosis (shoulder joint arthrosis). Her job profile led to an imminent inability to work.

02 Solution

The doctor mediated between the patient and the employer. Shoulder-friendly activities were identified to enable continued employment. At the same time, intensive physiotherapy was organized to strengthen the shoulder muscles.

03 Partial ability to work

The rapid adaptation of the activity profile and the accompanying therapy led to a significant stabilization of the ability to work:

• Recurrent short absences from work were reduced
• After adaptation, significantly more stable ability to work
• No longer absences due to illness in the last quarter

04 Results

• 14 fewer days lost compared to the previous year
• Savings for the company: CHF 8,400 - 14,000 (short-term)
• Avoidance of an IV case (longer term), thus securing the job despite chronic illness
• Prevention of permanent incapacity to work

05 Share success story

This case underlines how targeted adjustments and early intervention not only enable direct cost savings for employers and insurers, but also ensure long-term job security in the event of chronic illness.

Source: This case study was provided by AcciMed GmbH and abridged with their permission.