Cost-effectiveness of occupational therapy return-to-work interventions for people with mental health disorders: A systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Return-to-work (RTW) resources for persons with mental health disorders are limited and costs are typically shared by several stakeholders in society. Occupational therapists (OT) provide RTW interventions for this target group, however, increased knowledge of health, and employment effects, as well as costs are needed to better inform decision makers in their prioritisations.

Aims/objectives: To identify and summarise evidence of cost-effectiveness of RTW interventions for persons with mental health disorders which OTs provide.

Materials and methods: A systematic search was applied and resulted in 358 articles. After screening, nine articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Quality assessment was conducted using the economic evaluation tool by Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results: Supported employment, Individual Placement and Support was cost-effective in several contexts while three studies showed larger effects and higher costs. An OT intervention added to treatment for major depression was indicated to be cost-beneficial and an advanced supported employment was cost-saving. The methodological quality varied considerably between studies.

Conclusions and significance: The results of the included studies are promising, however, to further strengthen the economic perspective in OT RTW interventions, the need for conducting more and methodologically robust economic evaluations is crucial in future studies.