AOK absences of workers are rising

AOK: Absences of employees increase: The Scientific Institute of the AOK (WidO) has reported in a, published today on Friday, rising numbers of sick leave of workers by flu.

The Scientific Institute of the AOK (WidO) has reported in a, published on Friday, press release rising numbers of sick leave of workers by flu.Accordingly, the proportion of AOK members in employee sickness conditions rose by 0.2 percent year-on-year to 4.8 percent. More than 50 percent of AOK insured employees were on sick leave at least once in 2009. With almost five million people, this is about 16 percent of the total German population. On average, the incapacity to work lasted a little over 17 days. In 2008 it was just under 17 days.

Respiratory diseases seem to be on the rise. According to AOK, they accounted for around 25 percent of their insured employees. Most of the respiratory complaints were in January and November. However, the list of reasons for sick leave indicates musculoskeletal disorders after respiratory illnesses, injuries and mental illnesses.

From the point of view of naturopathy, the rising numbers should make one think and cause a rethinking of the cashiers. Preventive measures, such as the concept of salutogenesis or treatment of functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system, for example by osteopathy, could be useful cost-effective countermeasures, but are not yet included in the catalog of benefits of the statutory health insurance. Observers are not surprised, because the AOK has on its website continues to have an outdated description of osteopathy. In it it says among other things:“There is no scientific proof of the efficacy of osteopathy.“

The contradicts partly the „Scientific assessment of osteopathic procedures„- arranged by the German Medical Association on August 28, 2009. In it it states among other things: “Two commissioned experts came to the conclusion that a certain number of scientific papers are already available for some areas of osteopathic assessment and therapy as well as certain techniques.“ Especially for musculoskeletal disorders, which lead the list of causes of illness and can be treated by manual medicine, there should be indications for the effectiveness of certain techniques according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM).

It remains to be seen how the AOK executives will deal with the numbers now published and how they will use the information available to them on alternative intervention options in the future. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, 12.03.2010)

Background information:
Definition of osteopathy from the AOK
Scientific assessment of osteopathic procedures