Determinanten der Antragstellung auf eine medizinische Rehabilitation--Ergebnisse einer Befragung von Versicherten der LVA Schleswig-Holstein.

During the first 6 months of 1997 the number of applications for medical rehabilitation measures dropped markedly by 50% compared with the number in the previous year. To clarify the reasons for this decline the regional statutory pension fund of blue collar workers in Schleswig-Holstein (LVA) and the Institute for Social Medicine, Medical University Lübeck initiated a survey among 4400 blue collar workers (2% of the LVA population aged of 40-59 years). Between November 1997 and January 1998 a postal survey inquired of the perceived need for rehabilitation and various criteria influencing the decision to apply for such a measure. After two months the response rate was 64%. A quarter of the workers answering considered themselves in need of rehabilitation. Of those 41% intended to file an application, 34% intended not to do so and 25% were undecided. The main reasons for supporting an application were encouragement by the GP and family members as well as the hope to improve working capacity. The decision against applying for rehabilitation was evoked by consequences of the recent legislation (WFG), job uncertainty and the public debate about the rehabilitation system in Germany.