The SocMed Database: coverage and clinical characteristics of individuals seen in social medicine in the capital region of Denmark

Abstract

This study aimed to describe The SocMed Database, its content, completeness, and representativeness compared with the Danish National Patient Register (DNPR), alongside population characteristics within a biopsychosocial framework. In Denmark, Departments of Social Medicine manage complex cases among long-term unemployed individuals. Since 2012, clinical data from the Capital Region has been systematically collected in the SocMed Database. Individuals were included in this study if they were registered in the SocMed Database or the DNPR with a visit to the Department of Social Medicine in the Capital Region between 2012–2022. Years with fewer than 100 individuals were excluded. Missingness and key variable distributions were reported, and demographic differences between individuals registered in the SocMed Database versus the DNPR only were assessed. We identified 6908 individuals from the SocMed Database (6246) or DNPR (4435); after exclusions, 6795 remained. Registration completeness was 91.7%. Individuals in the SocMed Database were more likely to receive cash benefits than those in the DNPR only (81.1% vs. 56.6%). The majority exhibited substantial health and social challenges: over 70% reported adverse life events, over 80% had sleep problems, and more than half had musculoskeletal or psychiatric diagnoses. Both patients and physicians had low expectations for labour market return. The SocMed Database represents a comprehensive resource for understanding long-term sick leave populations within a biopsychosocial framework. Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and further research and contribute to the literature by offering a structured approach to data collection in social medicine.