The MASS intervention, which consists of an integrated and personalized approach in which school personnel and youth health care physicians (YHCPs) play a major role, aims to address school absenteeism due to sickness reporting, also known as medical absenteeism.

MASS provides a clear framework within which school personnel can reach out to students and their parents, discuss aspects of the student's medical absence, and design and monitor a management plan that aims to optimize students' health and maximize their participation in school activities.

In summary, the MASS intervention seeks to reduce absenteeism by arranging appropriate care, educational modifications, and adequate support for students and parents. The following routine is followed:

Step 1: Review the school's policy.

In cases of absenteeism due to medical reasons, the school communicates with students and parents about the new policy.

Step 2: Referral to the Youth Health Care Plan

The school identifies students with extensive medical absences using well-defined threshold criteria, such as being sick four times in 12 school weeks or missing more than six consecutive school days (MASS-criteria). Meeting the criteria always results in a referral to the YHCP for both the student and the parents.

Step 3: Student and parent consultation with the YHC

YHCPs look for biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to students' medical absenteeism during the interview and medical assessment. The YHCP determines whether the absence is due to a specific somatic or psychiatric diagnosis. If the diagnosis is clear, the emphasis will be on improving (adherence to) treatment. In cases of frequent physical complaints and psychosocial problems without a clear medical diagnosis, the YHCP considers diagnostics as well as family and school-related factors, as well as health risk behaviors and lifestyle factors that contribute to the physical complaints and psychosocial problems. If necessary, the YHCP will refer the patient to a medical specialist or a psychosocial support network. A management plan is then developed in collaboration with the student, parents, and school, as well as any curative professionals who may be involved. This plan includes agreements on curing, caring for, and attending school.

Step 4: Keep an eye on the management plan.

The management plan is monitored by the school and the YHCP.

Aim: Addressing school absenteeism due to sickness reporting (so-called medical absenteeism)