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Table 1 Description of the key steps of the MASS intervention derived from van der Vlis et al. [22]

From: Addressing sickness absence among adolescents and young adults: an evaluation of the Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students intervention

Step

Description

1

The school contacts the student who reports sick and asks about the context of the sickness report and condition of the student.

2

The school organizes a meeting with the student in case of extensive sickness absence (criteria predefined by each individual school). Parents are also invited when the student is younger than 18 years of age.

3

The school refers the student to a consultation with a Youth Health Care professional when this is deemed necessary and explains the benefit of this consultation to the student.

4

A consultation is organized by the regional Youth Health Care organization with the Youth Health Care professional and the student (and parents if the student is younger than 18 years old). Together they conduct a problem analysis, define the underlying problems and causes of the absence, using the biopsychosocial model and the self-sufficiency matrix. The possibilities of preventing recurrence of the absence and treatment are discussed and an action plan for reintegration is created, which is communicated to the school.

5

The school is responsible for monitoring the sickness absence of the student and school-related implementation of the reintegration plan, if created.