Working together for rapid reintegration

Studies show that the chances of reintegration decrease by around 50 percent after six months of incapacity for work. It is therefore crucial that the social and professional environment of those affected work as early as possible to ensure that people who are unable to work can return to work as quickly as possible. Coordinated cooperation between the Cantonal Solothurn Trade Association, the Solothurn Chamber of Commerce, the Solothurn General Practitioners (HASO) and the Society of Doctors of the Canton of Solothurn (GAeSO), as well as the social insurers IV-Stelle Solothurn and Suva Solothurn, is intended to reduce absenteeism from work and health care costs. The project participants sign a binding cooperation agreement, which is unique in this form in Switzerland and makes the canton of Solothurn a pioneer.

Communication among each other is crucial

An incapacity for work poses challenges for employers, the treating physicians as well as the responsible social insurance. While the employer expects the most transparent information possible about the return of the injured person, the treating physicians often lack the necessary knowledge about the patient's workplace for determining the incapacity to work. "We are convinced that a targeted dialogue between employers and the treating physicians can shorten an employee's absence," says Dr. Gabriela Kissling, co-president of Hausärzte Solothurn. This is because the assessment of an employee's ability to work presupposes that the doctor knows the patient's specific workplace situation, is informed about the employer's reintegration offers, and which sheltered workplaces the company offers. "Employers, physicians and social insurers must approach each other in the event of ambiguities or complex circumstances. This is the only way to promote reintegration," says Martin Gabl, head of the Solothurn IV office. After all, the social and professional environment plays a decisive role in determining the course of reintegration.

Principles form the framework of cooperation

"In order to close information gaps and ensure communication among doctors, employers and social insurers, we have worked together in partnership to develop principles and a fact sheet," says Kilian Bärtschi, agency manager at Suva Solothurn. The documents address the main areas of cooperation. Among other things, it defines in detail what information must be present on a certificate of incapacity for work, how incapacity for work is determined in practice, or what additional information on the certificate of incapacity for work the employer is entitled to. "With our signatures, we all commit ourselves to comply with the developed principles in our daily work. We hope that this will prevent potential misunderstandings from arising in the first place and that we will manage to reduce lost work days by working together as partners," says Daniel Probst, Director of the Solothurn Chamber of Commerce.

Go to Fact sheet for physicians and employers