In the spring of 2015, Annine Johansen was 23 years old and had just graduated as a nurse. Then she had a stroke. She received a prompt and good treatment at the emergency hospital and after that she did a longer rehabilitation at Al Sinnas Hospital.
When she was laid off to her hometown municipality and had to look for a suitable job, she met Naf. A short time later, a disability pension was proposed. Today, Anin is 30 years old and works part-time as a project manager.
Unfortunately, her story is not unique.
At Sunna Hospital, we have patients to rehabilitate after serious injuries or illness. They suffer a lot of complications and sequelae that they have to live with for the rest of their lives. This means that they will need to be facilitated and followed over a long period of time in order to master their new daily life.
[ Kommentar: Mange har mye, altfor mange har altfor lite ]
Our experience is that the vast majority of people want to go back to work. At the same time, we must respect and tolerate those who wish to return to work, but when disability benefits are the only option as a result of injuries.
Fortunately, many have good experiences in meetings with Nav and employers.
They receive help, guidance and facilitation so that they can work. But many people experience the opposite. It is unfortunate for the individual, and it is unfortunate from a social and economic perspective.
Norway has a well-developed welfare state. We have the best prerequisites to being the best in class when it comes to helping users get back into meaningful work and everyday life.
2021 figures from Statistics Norway show that the number of disabled young people between the ages of 25 and 34 is increasing. For young people aged 18-24, the number of people with disabilities increased through 2019, but has remained stable in recent years.
[ Baneheia-saken: Vil ha etterforskning av instituttet han selv ledet ]
By researching patients with brain damage, we can say that Norway is not the best in class. With a well-funded welfare state, we should be able to put more people back to work than, say, the United States, which has weaker schemes than us. Studies show that Norway is no better than the United States or the other countries we compare ourselves to.
Five years after a brain injury, Norwegian research showed that up to 70% reported having an unmet need for health care. One-third of these report that the greatest unmet needs relate to the systematic follow-up of cognitive and emotional complaints – and participation in working life.
A year after a serious brain injury, nearly 50 percent of them work. After 10 years, the number is the same.
However, we know from studies that concerted efforts in the form of rehabilitation and measures aimed at working life produce results. In a dynamic interaction between the patient himself, the health service, the employer, and professional and experienced Nav case managers, more should be returning to work.
A year after a serious brain injury, nearly 50 percent of them work. After 10 years, the number is the same.
It will cost more in healthcare in the short term, but for the individual and society it will produce positive results and save money in the long term.
If we are to succeed in this, attitudes and knowledge must change both in the health service and among other collaborators such as employers and Nav. The work is complicated. The health service should not only consider symptoms of illness in isolation, but also address the conditions in the workplace and the content of the work.
Returning to work requires extensive effort from reps with different skills over a long period of time, not least from the patient himself. Many have to try several rounds to find their chance. Then they need good supervisors around them.
Just ask moan.
[ Da Marianne fikk diagnosen bipolar falt bitene på plass: – Folk i bygda hadde jo snakket (+) ]
“Explorer. Unapologetic entrepreneur. Alcohol fanatic. Certified writer. Wannabe tv evangelist. Twitter fanatic. Student. Web scholar. Travel buff.”
