All included participants were registered IPs working within the

Netherlands. The experience of the study participants as insurance physicians varied between 7 and 33 years. Results of the preliminary rounds From a total of 56 factors, 32 factors were agreed upon by at least 80 % of the participants. The qualitative analysis of the new factors included by the participants generated 35 additional factors. In the second preliminary round, the 35 new factors were returned to the EGFR activation participants who were then asked to choose those factors that are important for RTW. More than 80 % of the panellists found 22 of the new factors important. The GSK2126458 result of the two preliminary rounds was a list of 54 factors. Results of the main rounds First main round: From among 54 factors, 22 relevant factors for RTW for the assessment of work ability were mentioned by at least 80 % of the participants. See Appendix 2 and 3 for factors that either hinder or promote RTW of long-term sick-listed employees. Second main round: More than 55 % of the participants determined that nine of the 22 relevant factors should be a part of the work ability assessment of employees on sick leave. See Table 1 for the 9 relevant factors determined to be important for the assessment of work ability. Table 1 Factors that should be

included in the assessment of the work ability of employees on long-term sick leave according insurance physicians Factors that promote RTW (%) Factors that hinder RTW (%) Motivation of sick-listed employee to RTW

79 Secondary selleck gain from illness 76 Positive attitude of employee towards resuming work 75 Inefficient coping style 70 Providing RTW vocational rehabilitation as soon as possible 70 Incorrect advice of treating from physicians regarding RTW 69 Assessment of cognitions and behaviour 64 Negative illness perceptions 57 Teaching the sick-listed employee to cope with his/her disabilities 60     Discussion Summary of main findings Insurance physicians reached a consensus on nine relevant factors for RTW that must be taken into account in the assessment of the work ability of employees on long-term sick leave: work motivation, attitude towards RTW, changing inadequate cognitions and behaviour, early vocational rehabilitation, learning how to cope with disabilities, secondary gain from illness, negative illness perceptions, inefficient coping style and incorrect advice of treating physicians regarding RTW. Our findings point to the importance of obtaining a complete picture of the situation of employees on long-term sick leave during the period of work ability assessment. This result implies that, in addition to an understanding of the medical condition, information about non-medical factors is necessary for a proper assessment of the work ability of employees on long-term sick leave.