Multidisciplinary work ability support for unemployed individuals in Finland

Abstract Background Unemployed individuals often have poorer health and work ability compared to those employed, with health issues being a common barrier to employment. Integrated services can improve population health, enhance work ability, and support groups with complex needs. However, there is limited knowledge on how multidisciplinary services are delivered and whether they meet client need. This study aimed to identify service needs and services among the unemployed clients attending novel multidisciplinary work ability support service in Finland. Methods The data were collected between 2021-2022 from nine projects in the national Work Ability Program and consisted of two individual-level questionnaires for the responsible client workers: at the beginning of the service (n = 270) and at the end of the service/ data collection (n = 210). In the exploratory sequential mixed methods design, qualitative analysis was used to identify clients’ service needs. Thereafter, latent class analysis was used to identify different subgroups based on the service needs and cross-tabulation to examine service delivery. Results Most of the clients were long-term unemployed (n = 186, 69 %). Service needs were most often related to physical health (n = 168, 62 %) and vocational rehabilitation (n = 85, 32 %). Four subgroups of clients with variable service need combinations were identified. The service needs and services corresponded with each other, and some statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) between the subgroups were observed. However, service delivery in all the subgroups highlighted different types of work (dis)ability assessments. Conclusions Integrated services enabled a holistic view on the service needs of the unemployed clients and provided a good basis for multidisciplinary work ability assessments and service coordination. Early access to work ability support could result more employment-orientated and shorter service process. Key messages • Multidisciplinary services enable a holistic view on the service needs of the unemployed individuals and provide a good basis for work ability assessments and service coordination. • Early access to multidisciplinary work ability support could enhance the accessibility of healthcare, promote employment, and lower the incidence of prolonged unemployment.