Multidisciplinary program for stress-related disease in primary health care

• Main Authors: Eva Ekvall Hansson, Eva Håkansson, Annelie Raushed, Anders Håkansson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2009-05-01
• Series: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Online Access: http://www.dovepress.com/multidisciplinary-program-for-stress-related-disease-in-primary-health-a3097

Eva Ekvall Hansson1, Eva Håkansson2, Annelie Raushed2, Anders Håkansson1 1Lund University, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö/General Practice, Malmö, Sweden; 2Primary Health Care Malmö, SwedenObjective: To describe a multidisciplinary program, given by an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist, for patients with stress-related disease in primary health care and to measure the effect of this program in terms of self-perceived health, degree of burnout, physical activity, symptoms, recreational activities, and psychological and physical well-being.Method: Retrospective study.Results: At measures after three months, the thirteen patients included in this study had improved in self-estimated health, measured with EuroQol-5D Visual Analogue Scale (p = 0.000), and in degree of burnout, measured with the Shirom–Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (p = 0.001). There was also a decrease in presence of headache, in physical activity and in satisfaction with leisure time, although not statistically significant. After six months, the improvements remained for all measures except physical activity. The patients were also satisfied with the program to a high degree, measured with Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (median 3.7).Conclusion: This descriptive study shows that a stress-management program, provided by a team including an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist in primary health care, is both feasible and effective in terms of self-estimated health, degree of burnout, and patient satisfaction. Keywords: stress-related health, burnout, occupational therapy, physiotherapy