Incapacité et retour au travail

Avril 2023

Purpose This feasibility study focusses on the implementation and use of a decision aid, which supports vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals in helping clients with a disability pension return to work in practice. The decision aid shows an overview of the clients' return to work barriers and suggests suitable VR interventions based on these barriers. Methods The study population consisted of VR professionals working at the Dutch Social Security Institute and their clients receiving a (partial) work disability pension. The feasibility was measured with concepts of the Linnan and Steckler framework and the attitude, social norm and self-efficacy model. Data were collected using questionnaires, checklists and qualitative interviews. Results Ten professionals participated in this study. Fifty-four clients were asked to fill in the questionnaire of the decision aid and 32 clients received VR care based on the decision aid. In general, VR professionals and clients were satisfied with the decision aid and perceived a few barriers for using the decision aid. Conclusions This study showed that it is feasible to implement and use the decision aid. To improve the implementation of this decision aid, it should be implemented in digital systems used by professionals to improve efficiency of working with the decision aid.

Purpose Supervisors play a pivotal role in the sick leave process. Although responsibility for sick leave and return to work follow-up is increasingly placed on the workplace in Norway, few studies have explored supervisors' experiences. This study aims to explore supervisors' experiences with attending to employees' sick leave and return to work process. Methods This study consists of individual interviews with 11 supervisors from diverse workplaces that was analysed thematically. Results The supervisors emphasised the value of presence at the workplace, the need for them to obtain information and uphold dialogue, considering individual and environmental influences on return-to-work and allocating responsibility. Investing time and money was crucial to prevent or reduce the negative impact of sick leave. Conclusions The supervisors' perception of attending to sick leave and return-to-work largely reflect Norwegian legislation. However, they find obtaining information and managing responsibility challenging, suggesting that their responsibilities for return-to-work are perhaps disproportionate to their knowledge on attending this process. Individualised support and guidance on how to develop accommodations based on the employee's workability should be made available. The reciprocal nature of follow-up described also reveals how the return-to-work process is enmeshed with (inter)personal considerations possibly resulting in unequal treatment.

Purpose Work participation is known to benefit people's overall health and wellbeing, but accessing vocational support during periods of sickness absence to facilitate return-to-work can be challenging for many people. In this study, we explored how vocational advice was delivered by trained vocational support workers (VSWs) to people who had been signed-off from work by their General Practitioner (GP), as part of a feasibility study testing a vocational advice intervention. Methods We investigated the discursive and interactional strategies employed by VSWs and people absent from work, to pursue their joint and respective goals. Theme-oriented discourse analysis was carried out on eight VSW consultations. Results These consultations were shown to be complex interactions, during which VSWs utilised a range of strategies to provide therapeutic support in discussions about work. These included; signalling empathy with the person's perspective; positively evaluating their personal qualities and prior actions; reflecting individuals' views back to them to show they had been heard and understood; fostering a collaborative approach to action-planning; and attempting to reassure individuals about their return-to-work concerns. Some individuals were reluctant to engage in return-to-work planning, resulting in back-and-forth interactional negotiations between theirs and the VSW's individual goals and agendas. This led to VSWs putting in considerable interactional 'work' to subtly shift the discussion towards return-to-work planning. Conclusion The discursive strategies we have identified have implications for training health professionals to facilitate work-orientated conversations with their patients, and will also inform training provided to VSWs ahead of a randomised controlled trial.

© Saunders B; Chew-Graham C; Sowden G; Cooke K; Walker-Bone K; Madan I; Parsons V; Linaker CH; Wynne-Jones G. Health: an Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness & Medicine. 13634593221148446, 2023 Apr 24.

Purpose The objective of this study was to describe the interventions for the labor reintegration of workers on medical leave due to musculoskeletal and mental health diseases, according to actions related to the worker, the employer, and the workplace. Methods This study consists of a qualitative systematic review, without restriction of publication date, conducted in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and MEDLINE/PubMed scientific bases. In addition, the Epistemonikos database was used. Results Nineteen articles were selected. It is observed that all interventions proposed actions with the workers, such as rehabilitation programs, therapies and return to work plans. Regarding the actions in the workplace, only three interventions articulated actions with workers and evaluation of the workplace. Finally, actions with employers were considered in 10 interventions with the objective of involving the employer in the improvement of the workplace and planning for the worker's return to work. Conclusion It can be seen that interventions for patients with musculoskeletal and mental health disorders can be divided into the following categories: worker-oriented interventions, employer-oriented interventions, and workplace actions. In each of these categories, various interventions can be seen, ranging from multidisciplinary intervention to exercise-based rehabilitation, in the case of musculoskeletal disorders, and occupational therapy to the psychotherapeutic method based on music, for mental health disorders.

Purpose Vocational rehabilitation (VR) involves complex skills, and often inter-disciplinary teams need to work effectively to meet the needs of stakeholders. Research highlights important influences on effective teamwork, including funding systems, team structure, policies and procedures, and effects of professional hierarchies. This qualitative study aimed to explore these issues in-depth including how factors interact to produce problems and solutions. We focused on identifying challenges and opportunities for VR teams working in the Aotearoa-New Zealand context which may also be transferrable to other settings. Methods Qualitative descriptive instrumental case study involving focus groups and interviews with two VR teams (n = 14). Teams worked in musculoskeletal injury and were geographically diverse. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Analysis constructed three overarching themes: Having the Power, Being Human, and VR is Not for Everyone. Achieving trusting relationships within the team was paramount. This was achieved through seeing everyone as equal, and as human. Equality within the team was particularly important for professionals that occupied different positions of power in a wider professional hierarchy. VR specialist skills (experience and postgraduate qualifications) were often under-recognised, leading them to have little power in VR decision making processes. VR professionals also experienced competing demands between client needs and business drivers. Conclusion Findings offer detail of processes teams engage in to create effective team relationships and manage systemic factors to facilitate positive outcomes. Additionally, findings highlight opportunities in decision-making processes for VR medical certification that may increase job satisfaction and better utilize skills and expertise.

Mars 2023

Purpose Injured workers can experience adverse effects from work injury and claims processes. Workers may be treated unfairly by employers, compensation boards, and return-to-work coordinators; however, how workers respond to these challenges is unknown. This article describes how injured precarious workers responded behaviourally and emotionally to procedural unfairness in work injury and claims processes, and what workers did next. Methods Interviews were conducted with thirty-six precariously employed injured workers recruited in Ontario through social media, email, cold calling, word-of-mouth, and the "snowball" method. Thematic code summaries were analyzed to identify how precarious workers responded to procedural unfairness. Results Workers went through all or most of these five stages (not always linearly) when faced with procedural unfairness: (1) passive, (2) fought back, (3) quit pursuit of claim, (4) quit job, and (5) won or got further in fight. Feeling confused, angry, frustrated, unsupported, disappointed, determined, optimistic, and wary were common emotions. Conclusions Identifying unfairness and its emotional, behavioral, and material effects on workers is important to understand implications for compensation systems. Understanding and recognizing unfairness can equip employers, legal representatives, compensation boards, and physicians, to address and prevent it, and provide worker resources. Policy changes can ensure accountability and consequences to unfairness initiators.

Purpose The aims of this study were: (1) to explore the frequency of discrepancies in work accommodations reported by workers and their supervisors, and (2) to investigate whether these discrepancies are associated with full return to work (RTW). Methods We used data from a longitudinal survey study of long-term sick-listed workers and their supervisors (n = 406). Discrepancies in reports on implementing eight types of work accommodations were explored. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test associations between discrepancies in reported work accommodations and odds of full RTW 27 months after the sick-leave onset. Results Discrepancies were the lowest for the work accommodation therapeutic RTW (53%) and the highest (85%) for job training or education and reimbursement of therapy or treatment. Four out of eight types of work accommodations were more often reported by workers than by their supervisors. Only a discrepancy on a job reassignment within the organization was associated with lower odds of full RTW (OR 0.56, 95%-CI 0.36-0.88). Conclusion We found substantial discrepancies in the reported implementation of work accommodations between workers and their supervisors. Future research should focus on disentangling mechanisms that lead to discrepancies to avoid inefficiencies in the RTW process.

Purpose Aging workers represent an emerging, growing, and essential population for the contemporary labour market. Considering their unique characteristics, these individuals are at risk of experiencing periods of disability at work due to different reasons (e.g., chronic diseases, occupational injuries) and a different return-to-work experience compared to younger workers. The scoping review presented in this article aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to returning to work in aging people who suffered a health impairment. Methods Information from 34 manuscripts was extracted and analyzed, enabling the identification of factors hindering and facilitating the return to work of aging individuals, with regard to four systems: the individual, work, health, and compensation. Results The results suggest levers accessible to the various stakeholders involved in the process of returning to work for aging individuals to promote their healthy, safe, and satisfactory participation in work after a period of disability.

Purpose Return to work from long-term sick leave is influenced by personal and social factors, which can be measured by resilience, a construct that describe healthy adaptation against adversity. This study aimed to validate the validity and psychometric properties of the resilience scale for adults in a sample of long-term sick-listed individuals, and to investigate measurement invariance when compared with a university student sample. Methods Confirmatory factor analysis was used on a sick-listed sample (n = 687) to identify the scale’s factor structure, and comparison with a university student sample (n = 241) was utilized to determine measurement invariance. Results Results show that a slightly modified factor structure, in accordance with previous research, achieved acceptable fit in the sick-listed sample, while comparisons with the student sample supported measurement invariance. Conclusion This means that the study to a large degree support the factor structure of the resilience scale for adults in long-term sick-listed. Furthermore, the results indicate that the scale is similarly understood among long-term sick-listed as in a previously validated student sample. Thus, the resilience scale for adults can be a valid and reliable measure of protective factors in the long-term sickness absence and return to work context, and the subscale and total score can be interpreted similarly in long-term sick-listed as in other populations.

Février 2023

Purpose This study aimed to explore (1) whether self-reported assessment on work-related functioning, workability, return-to-work (RTW) self-efficacy, and expectation was useful in the professionals' assessment of sick-listed workers and could guide referral to interventions and (2) whether self-reporting in addition to "usual practice" could improve the RTW dialog and involvement in case management. Methods The qualitative study took place in two municipal job centers in 2021. The assessment was based on the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire, RTW-Self-efficacy Scale-19, and single items of self-rated health, workability, and RTW expectations. Sick-listed workers (n = 36) were interviewed by telephone. Three focus-group interviews were conducted with professionals who had used the questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. Results Three themes with seven subthemes emerged: (1) accessibility; (2) one tool in the RTW toolbox (subthemes: a supplementary tool, a tool for reflection, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and enhancing active participation); and (3) the value of "ticking boxes" (subthemes: good days, bad days, the issue of power, and the cultural meaning of words). Conclusion The professionals would not recommend the present questionnaire for use during their rehabilitation team meeting for assessment, interdisciplinary communication, or choice of interventions. However, using the parts assessing RTW self-efficacy and expectation combined with a dialog may be of value early in the RTW process. The self-reporting assessment tool was perceived to be meaningful to some sick-listed workers, as it provided reflections on important aspects of the RTW process. Some workers believed that it might contribute to the rehabilitation team, and thus, it could improve their involvement.

Purpose Workplace sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem, and common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression are associated with particularly high rates of long-term sickness absence. Effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are required. This pilot study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a new therapist-assisted Web-based RTW intervention (Workable) for injured workers on sick leave for a psychological or physical injury. Methods A single-group open pilot trial design was used, with assessments at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of online modules and 6 coaching calls from a psychologist. Results A total of 13 participants were recruited and 9 completed all questionnaires. Program adherence was high, with 92% of participants completing the 6-week intervention. Participants reported high levels of intervention satisfaction and ease of use. There were large and significant reductions between pre- and post-treatment on measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and workdays missed over the past four weeks, along with a significant increase in self-reported work ability. Conclusion These results suggest that Workable is a feasible and acceptable intervention for injured workers, with the potential to improve mental health and RTW outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is required to determine the efficacy of the intervention.

Purpose Synthesising evidence of the effects of interventions to improve work participation among people with health problems is currently difficult due to heterogeneity in outcome measurements. A core outcome set for work participation is needed. Methods Following the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials methodology, we used a five-step approach to reach international multistakeholder consensus on a core outcome set for work participation. Five subgroups of stakeholders took part in two rounds of discussions and completed two Delphi voting rounds on 26 outcomes. A consensus of >=80% determined core outcomes and 50%-80% consensus was required for candidate outcomes. Results Fifty-eight stakeholders took part in the Delphi rounds. Core outcomes were: 'any type of employment including self-employment', 'proportion of workers that return to work after being absent because of illness' and 'time to return to work'. Ten candidate outcomes were proposed, among others: 'sustainable employment', 'work productivity' and 'workers' perception of return to work'. Conclusion As a minimum, all studies evaluating the impact of interventions on work participation should include one employment outcome and two return to work outcomes if workers are on sick leave prior to the intervention.

Purpose The aging workforce influences employability and health of the working population, with new challenges emerging. The focus has shifted from return to work only, to enhancing ability to stay at work. It is unclear whether factors that influence return to work (RTW) also apply to preserving health and helping workers stay at work (SAW). Study objectives were to identify factors contributing to SAW among industrial workers and map identified factors to the Arena of Work Disability Prevention model (WDP-Arena, a commonly used RTW model) to identify agreements and differences. Methods Scoping review; eight databases were searched between January 2005- January 2020. Manuscripts with SAW as outcome were included; manuscripts with (early) retirement as outcome were excluded. Factors contributing to SAW were mapped against the components of the WDP-Arena. Results Thirteen manuscripts were included. Most results aligned with the WDP-Arena. These were most often related to the Workplace and Personal system. Compared to RTW, in industrial workers fewer factors related to the Legislative and Insurance system or Health Care system were relevant for SAW. Societal/cultural/political context was not studied. Multidimensional factors (workability, vitality at work, balanced workstyle, general health, dietary habits) were related to SAW but did not align with components in the WDP-Arena. Conclusion Most factors that determine SAW in industrial workers could be mapped onto the WDP- Arena model. However, new influencing factors were found that could not be mapped because they are multidimensional. The life-course perspective in SAW is more evident than in RTW. Many elements of the Legislative and Insurance system and the Health Care system have not been studied.

Janvier 2023

Purpose Several occupational health disciplines are involved in return to work guidance, implying that good interdisciplinary collaboration is important. A shared conceptual framework and a common language for the assessment of work capacity and guidance in return to work is expected to be at the benefit of appropriate and sustainable employability of sick employees. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can be considered a shared conceptual framework and is also promising in terms of a common language. The purpose of the current study is to reach multidisciplinary consensus among occupational health professionals on the content of an ICF-based instrument for the assessment of work capacity and guidance in return to work. Methods To obtain multidisciplinary consensus we conducted a modified Delphi study among twelve occupational health experts, including four occupational physicians, four insurance physicians and four labour experts. The study included two e-mail rounds and two virtual meetings. In the consecutive rounds the experts assessed ICF items as well as a list of non-ICF-based work-related environmental factors on their relevance for the assessment of the work capacity and guidance in return to work together with their interpretability. Results The four consecutive Delphi rounds resulted in 20 items that are minimally needed for the assessment of the work capacity and return to work possibilities of employees on sick leave. The final list included six items on personal functioning, seven items on social functioning and seven items on physical functioning. Conclusions This set of items forms the core of an ICF-based instrument, which is expected to facilitate interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary communication because of the use of a shared conceptual framework. As such, it should be of help in the guidance in return to work of employees on sick leave and contribute to appropriate and sustainable employability.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate how the type of return to work after an industrial accident affects job retention. Methods Using data from the panel study of workers' compensation insurance first-third, and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for workers leaving their jobs. Results The HR leaving their jobs were higher in the "reemployed" compared with that in the "returned to original work," with HR of 2.69 (2.33-3.10). According workers' status, the HRs leaving their jobs were higher among the "reemployed" than among those who "returned to original work." Regular and daily workers' HRs were 1.70 (1.37-2.11) and 3.55 (2.96-4.26), respectively. Conclusions The findings suggest that to increase job retention rate, protection policies for reemployed workers or support for employers who hire reemployed workers should be considered.

Purpose Workers who experience language barriers are at increased risk of work-related injuries and illnesses and face difficulties reporting these health problems to their employer and workers' compensation. In the existing occupational health and safety literature, however, such challenges are often framed in individual-level terms. We identify systemic barriers to reporting among injured workers who experience language barriers within the varying contexts of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Methods This study merges data from two qualitative studies that investigated experiences with workers' compensation and return-to-work, respectively, for injured workers who experience language barriers. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 39 workers and 70 stakeholders in Ontario and Quebec. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded using NVivo software. The data was analysed thematically and iteratively. Results Almost all workers (34/39) had filed a claim, though most had initially delayed reporting their injuries or illnesses to their employer or to workers' compensation. Workers faced several obstacles to reporting, including confusion surrounding the cause and severity of injuries and illnesses; lack of information, misinformation, and disinformation about workers' compensation; difficulties accessing and interacting with care providers; fear and insecurity linked to precarity; claim suppression by employers; negative perceptions of, and experiences with, workers' compensation; and lack of supports. Language barriers amplified each of these difficulties, resulting in significant negative impacts in economic, health, and claim areas. Conclusion Improving the linguistic and cultural competence of organizations and their representatives is insufficient to address under-reporting among workers who experience language barriers. Efforts to improve timely reporting must tackle the policies and practices that motivate and enable under-reporting for workers, physicians, and employers.

Purpose Common mental health and musculoskeletal disorders (CMDs and MSDs) are two of the most significant causes of non-participation in employment amongst working age adults. This case study fills an important gap in the scientific literature on reintegration back to work after sickness absence due to CMDs and MSDs. It particularly examines the return to work (RTW) experiences of sick-listed employees to understand the facilitators and barriers of sustainable RTW. Methods Using a realist evaluation approach within a qualitative inquiry, perceptions of employees were explored to provide in-depth understanding of what, how and under what circumstances sustainable RTW can be enabled for employees absent on a short- or long-term basis. Repeat face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants (15 women and 7 men, aged 30-50 years and sick-listed with MSDs and CMDs) who were recruited using purposive sampling. Data was thematically analysed. Results A total of 2 main codes and 5 subcodes were developed and grouped into three theoretical abstractions. As a result of validating the context, mechanism, and outcome configurations with accounts of participants, all three initial theories explaining the most prominent mechanisms that either facilitates or impedes a sustainable RTW for people with CMDs and MSDs were justified. Conclusions Our findings reveal the active role of line managers on the RTW outcomes of returning employees. However, line-manager's competence and ability to effectively support and implement appropriate RTW strategies suited to employees' hinges on working in alignment with key stakeholders and returning employees.

Purpose Work injury can put older workers at higher risk of disability and early retirement. Rapid population ageing has raised questions about the ability of older workers to continue working, especially for those who have experienced work injury. Career development practices have been highlighted as a form of rehabilitation support to enable longer working lives of injured older workers. The purpose of this study was to explore whether career development practices contribute to higher expected retirement age for injured older workers (aged 45 and above). Methods A total of 274 older Australian workers employed at large organisations completed a survey about their health, retirement intentions, work injury, and engagement with career development practices. Hierarchical multiple regression and two-way analysis of variances were used to analyse the data. Results Work injury contributed to significantly lower expected retirement age for older workers. Work training and development predicted a significant amount of variance in expected retirement age of injured older workers, and enabled them to work to later retirement ages. There was no statistically significant difference in injured older workers' expected retirement age for those who participated in career discussion with their managers and those who did not participate. Conclusion Lack of career development support can affect injured older workers' ability to participate in employment. The findings highlight the importance for rehabilitation and human resource professionals to have a proactive and educative role in providing career development support to injured older workers.

Décembre 2022

Purpose Certifying long-term sick leave and coordinating complex rehabilitation programs are essential activities of social insurance doctors. These doctors have a role in preventing the decreased work capacity of employees that may lead to leaving the labour market and the transition of these employees to other social insurance benefits, such as a work disability pension. Objective: Analysis of long-term sick leaves (over 183 days) to identify risk factors and population groups with low potential for work capacity rehabilitation. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study between September 2019 and September 2020. The information was collected from the National Institute of Medical Assessment and Work Capacity Rehabilitation Bucharest registers and the EXPMED application. The data were statistically analysed using PSPP software. Results The highest rehabilitation percentage was achieved in cases of traumatic injuries (73.17%), followed by musculoskeletal diseases (70.06%). We noticed lower recovery in cases of nervous system diseases (50.56%) and cardiovascular diseases (44.23%). In the group that summed up the other pathologies, the recovery percentage was 58.37%. People who regained their work capacity were significantly younger (mean age 47.87 y +/- 8.93) than those who turned to other forms of social benefits, such as a disability pension or an old-age pension (mean age 53.16 y +/- 8.43). Conclusion Most of the subjects (72%) regained their work capacity and did not need a disability pension. We identified the sociodemographic and morbidity characteristics of people on long-term sick leave along with target groups requiring intensive intervention measures.

Purpose Research has long documented the low cost and effectiveness of most workplace accommodations to enable qualified people with disabilities to seek, secure, and maintain employment. Methods RETAIN Kentucky's return to work and stay at work intervention involves focused training for participants on requesting needed accommodations from their employers. Results In this article, we describe the win-win approach to reasonable accommodations, which serves as the basis for helping Kentuckians with disabilities identify and request on-the-job supports to aid in their efforts to remain in the workforce. Conclusions Workers with disabilities are more likely to stay in the workforce and continue making valuable contributions to the national and global economies if they have effective accommodations and other employment supports available to them.

Novembre 2022

Purpose People with disabilities (PWD) are less likely to be employed than those without disabilities. Reasonable job accommodations are an essential factor for ensuring equal access to jobs for PWD. However, use of job accommodation is less than optimal among PWD with various types of disabilities. Sometimes, PWD have co-occurring impairments, which might affect accommodation use. This research aimed to explore disability phenotypes, frequently used accommodations, and employee- and job-related factors associated with the extent of job accommodation use. Methods A cross-sectional online survey of PWD was conducted in the Midwest region of the United States. Latent class analyses were used to identify disability phenotypes. Descriptive analysis and stepwise Poisson regression were used to identify factors associated with job accommodation use. Results A total of 326 PWD with work experience after acquiring a disability were included in this analysis. We identified three disability phenotypes: (1) Severe disability in cognitive, physical, emotional, communication and visual domains (32%), (2) Moderate cognitive and low physical disability (48%), and (3) High physical disability phenotypes (20%). 80% of PWD received at least one accommodation. Flexible working schedules, telework, and access to a support person in the workplace were the most common accommodations. Employee- (age, disability phenotypes, motor function) and job-related factors (job preparation, self-employment) are associated dependently with accommodation use. Conclusion This analysis identifies three disability phenotypes and highlights both employee- and job-related factors associated with accommodations used. It may be beneficial to consider multiple contextual factors, including co-occurring disability, employee- and job-related factors, when assisting people with job accommodations.

Purpose Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to assist ill and injured workers to stay-at-work or to return-to-work. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify primary care physicians' learning needs in returning ill or injured workers to work and to identify gaps to guide future research. Methods We used established methodologies developed by Arksey and O'Malley, Cochrane and adapted by the Systematic Review Program at the Institute for Work & Health. We used Distiller SR©, an online systematic review software to screen for relevance and perform data extraction. We followed the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews checklist for reporting. Results We screened 2106 titles and abstracts, 375 full-text papers for relevance and included 44 studies for qualitative synthesis. The first learning need was related to administrative tasks. These included (1) appropriate record-keeping, (2) time management to review occupational information, (3) communication skills to provide clear, sufficient and relevant factual information, (4) coordination of services between different stakeholders, and (5) collaboration within teams and between different professions. The second learning need was related to attitudes and beliefs and included intrinsic biases, self-confidence, role clarity and culture of blaming the patient. The third learning need was related to specific knowledge and included work capacity assessments and needs for sick leave, environmental exposures, disclosure of information, prognosis of certain conditions and care to certain groups such as adolescents and pregnant workers. The fourth learning need was related to awareness of services and tools. Conclusions There are many opportunities to improve medical education for physicians in training or in continuing medical education to improve care for workers with an illness or injury that affect their work.

Purpose Dutch legislation encourages active participation of employees in their return-to-work (RTW) process. Empowering leadership may support employees’ self-direction in this process (i.e. by allowing and enabling their involvement in decision-making). Building upon a previous study, we aimed to study (1) how representatives of a university, i.e. an employer for employees with high levels of education (EH), manage RTW, (2) the similarities and differences between the RTW management of employers (or representatives thereof) of employees with low (EL) and high levels of education, and (3) the degree to which the employers’ roles resemble empowering leadership. Methods Qualitative methodology was applied. A thematic analysis of interview transcripts (rq1) was followed by a comparison of themes (rq2) and pattern matching (rq3). Results (1) EH tend to engage in dialogue and accommodate their employees as much as possible. (2) EL and EH showed several similarities, such as aiming to meet legal requirements on RTW management. Compared to EL, EH tend to focus more on facilitating employees. (3) Empowering leadership seems to be more common among EH. Conclusion Compared to employees with low levels of education, those with high levels of education may be granted more opportunity to self-direct their RTW. The study results provide starting points for employers for employees with both low and high levels of education who aim to enable employees’ self-direction in RTW, and help them to develop empowering leadership styles.

Purpose To reduce sickness absence (SA) and increase work participation, the tripartite Agreement for a More Inclusive Working Life (IA) was established in Norway in 2001. IA companies have had access to several measures to prevent and reduce SA. Our aim in this paper was to estimate the average effect of having access to IA at the time of entering a first SA on later return-to-work (RTW) and on time spent in other work-related states. A secondary objective was to study how effects varied between women and men, and individuals with SA due to either musculoskeletal or psychological diagnoses. Methods Design: Population-based observational multistate longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Individual characteristics and detailed longitudinal records of SA, work and education between 1997-2011 were obtained from population-wide registries. Participants: Each individual born in Norway 1967-1976 who entered full-time SA during 2004-2011, with limited earlier SA, was included (n=187 930). Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Individual multistate histories containing dated periods of work, graded SA, full-time SA, non-employment and education. Analysis: Data were analysed in a multistate model with 500 days of follow-up. The effect of IA was assessed by estimating differences in state probabilities over time, adjusted for confounders, using inverse probability weighting. Results IA increased the probability of work after SA, with the largest difference between groups after 29 days (3.4 percentage points higher (95% CI 2.5 to 4.3)). Differences in 1-year expected length of stay were 8.4 additional days (4.9 to 11.9) in work, 7.6 (4.8 to 10.3) fewer days in full-time SA and 1.6 (-0.2 to 3.4) fewer days in non-employment. Similar trends were found within subgroups by sex, musculoskeletal and psychological diagnoses. The robustness of the findings was studied in sensitivity analyses. Conclusion Measures to prevent and reduce SA, as given through IA, were found to improve individuals' RTW after entering SA.

Purpose To address the increase in sick leave for nonspecific chronic pain and mental illness, the Swedish government and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions entered into an agreement on a “Rehabilitation Guarantee” to carry out multimodal rehabilitation (MMR). Objective: To investigate whether components of primary care MMR are associated with changes in sick leave. Methods A web-based survey was conducted in conjunction with a retrospective cross-sectional observational study of 53 MMR units. Sick leave data for the years before and after MMR completion was collected for 846 individuals. Results There was great disparity in how MMR was delivered. The average duration of rehabilitation was 4–8 weeks, and 74% of the MMR teams reported having fewer patients than recommended (≥20/year). Only 58% of the teams met the competence requirements. In-depth competence in pain relief and rehabilitation was reported by 45% of the teams and was significantly associated with fewer sick leave days after MMR (26.53, 95% CI: 3.65; 49.42), as were pain duration (17.83, 95% CI: –9.20; 44.87) and geographic proximity (23.75, 95% CI: –5.25; 52.75) of the health care professionals included in the MMR unit. Conclusion In-depth competence and knowledge about the complex health care needs of patients seem essential to MMR teams’ success in reducing sickness benefits for patients with nonspecific chronic pain and mental illness. Further research is needed to elucidate the optimal combination of primary care MMR components for increasing the return-to work rate and to determine whether involvement of the Social Insurance Agency or employers could support and further contribute to recuperation and help patients regain their previous work capacity.

Octobre 2022

Purpose The number of employees with physical diseases is increasing, and there is a need for support to help them return and continue to work. To provide effective support, it is important to identify barriers and facilitators for individuals in returning and continuing to work. Previous studies have reported barriers and facilitators for specific diseases. However, few reports have dealt with these issues across various diseases. To identify a range of barriers and facilitators that may apply to different physical diseases, we conducted a qualitative analysis by interviewing patients with diverse characteristics being treated for diseases. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews based on the criteria for qualitative research. We investigated three disease groups to obtain details of barriers and facilitators: impairments that were visible to other people (mainly stroke); impairments invisible to others (mainly heart disease); and impairments that changed over time (mainly cancer). Interview transcripts were analyzed and the results reported using systematic text condensation. Results We extracted 769 meaning units from 28 patient interviews. We categorized barriers and facilitators that were generalizable to various diseases into three themes (personal factors, workplace factors, and inter-sectoral collaboration and social resources) and 10 sub-themes (work ability, psychological impacts, health literacy, social status, family background, workplace structure, workplace system, workplace support, inter-sectoral collaboration, and social resources). Conclusions This study identified 10 sub-themes that can be applied for workers with physical diseases; those sub-themes may be used as a basis for communicating with those individuals about returning and continuing to work. Our results suggest that various barriers and facilitators for workers with physical diseases should be understood and addressed at medical institutions, workplaces, and support sites.

Purpose The ICF model is applied as a conceptual framework in occupational rehabilitation in Norway. To systematically apply the ICF model in rehabilitation this study had the following aims: (1) apply an ICF subset by merging an ICF core set and an ICF set to assess functioning in rehabilitation patients related to work; (2) develop a patient-reported ICF questionnaire and a clinician-friendly ICF report complementing the clinician-rated ICF subset and (3) evaluate whether ICF-based tools (subset, questionnaire, report) support the communication between a clinical team, patient and jobcentre contacts during return to work (RTW) follow up. Methods Forty-one patients completing four weeks rehabilitation were recruited. The patients were referred from general practitioners and jobcentres. The ICF subset was a combination of the EUMASS core set for disability evaluation and suggested ICF categories by experts in vocational rehabilitation from Iceland. A clinical rehabilitation team interviewed the patients using the ICF subset and problems were quantified on a generic qualifier scale for body functions, activities and participation and environmental factors. The research team and clinical team developed an ICF questionnaire, by cross-culturally adapting the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire to Norwegian. The same teams also developed an ICF report. The rehabilitation clinic forwarded the report and questionnaire to the patients' jobcentre contact, which was responsible for the RTW follow up. To evaluate the benefits of ICF-based tools, the clinical team, user representative and jobcentre contacts together participated in four workshops. They were asked the degree to which and in what way the tools supported the communication between them. Results The ICF subset captured RTW challenges but was found to be time consuming. The jobcentres experienced the ICF report and questionnaire beneficial in the follow up as it strengthened their RTW decision-making basis and communication with the rehabilitation clinic and the patients about follow-up interventions. Conclusion The development and implementation of ICF-based tools for clinical practice was a preliminary success in supporting the communication between three stakeholders during RTW follow up. Future applications of ICF-based tools ought to integrate personal factors to capture both facilitators and barriers related to functioning and work, thus, getting closer to a holistic assessment.

Purpose Employment is an essential component of life as it provides income, sense of engagement and opportunities for personal development. Unemployment due to disability following an accident may have dramatic social and psychological consequences on individuals; it is thus fundamental to foster return to work of these persons. The present work was aimed to develop a methodology determining suitable jobs for people living with disability after a job-related accident. Methods The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) taxonomy was combined with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to match individual resources with specific jobs requirements. ICF Linking Rules were employed by two independent groups of researchers to associate ICF codes to O*NET skills and abilities descriptors. Results O*NET descriptors were linked to 92 unique ICF codes. A “Criticality score” combining ICF and O*NET features to assess suitability of selected jobs for persons with disabilities was also proposed. Conclusions The proposed methodology represents a novel instrument to support return to work; the capability to assess specific work-related facets through the lens of both the ICF model and O*NET taxonomy would conceivably provide vocational rehabilitation specialists and occupational therapists with a useful tool fostering job placement of workers with disability.

Purpose Does 15-minute consult using Motivational Interviewing (MI) have a positive effect on (1) time until return to work (RTW) and relapse after work resumption for patients who have been work disabled for longer than 3 months, and (2) can psychological variables (i.e., work-related motivation, work-related psychological needs, quality of life and work ability) explain these results? Methods 265 patients were included in a pilot randomized controlled trial, parallel and single blind, with an allocation ratio of 1:1 comparing the consult with MI with the consult as usual group (CAU). There was a 12-month follow up on actual RTW and relapse for both groups. The psychological outcomes were work-related motivation (MAWS), work-related psychological needs (BPNSFS), quality of life (EQ5D5L)) and work ability (WAI). Measurement of these indicators took place at baseline, 1 week after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. Results Patients in the MI group showed faster RTW and had a lower chance of relapse compared to those in the CAU condition. No significant differences were found between MI and CAU for the psychological outcomes. Conclusions Based on our results, there is some evidence that counseling including MI helps work-disabled patients to RTW faster and experience less relapse. However, much remains unknown about the underlying psychological mechanisms explaining this effect. Suggestions are made for the full RCT.

Purpose Being able to participate in work is an important determinant of health. Therefore, reintegration professionals provide support to clients to return to work (RTW). Since RTW has a significant impact on a client's life, it is preferred that clients are involved in the decision-making process of RTW. A method to do so, is shared decision-making (SDM), involving the following steps: collaborating as a team, explaining clients that they can be part of the decision-making process, setting a shared goal, presenting and discussing choice options, and making a shared decision. We explored how clients experience and prefer these SDM steps in their current and ideal interaction with professionals. Methods We performed semi-structured interviews with fourteen clients receiving support in their RTW process from four different municipalities. Results Clients emphasised the importance of collaborating as team. None of the clients reported having been told that they could be part of the decision-making process, or discussed a shared goal with a professional, which they would prefer. Some clients were presented choice options. When choice options were discussed, frequently only the negative aspects of choice options were explained by the professional. A great number of clients experienced that shared decisions were made, but based this on the shared effort made by the client and professional to RTW. Conclusions Clients generally wish to cooperate and participate in the decision-making process, but their ability to do so is limited due to not being fully involved in the SDM steps.

Purpose This is a qualitative descriptive study of professionals' perceptions of facilitators and barriers for returning to work for women on long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal pain and/or common mental disorder who participated in a vocational rehabilitation project. Methods Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 purposefully selected professionals from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Public Employment Service, the health care services, and the municipal services. The interviews were analyzed with a manifest content analysis. Results The main facilitators were the close cooperation between the professionals and the individual support that was offered to the project participants. The main barriers were differences among the stakeholders' missions and goals, limitations in project duration and within the labor market, and the project participants' personal factors. Conclusions These results emphasize the importance of cooperation between the various stakeholder professionals and a focus on the individual's resources and needs. The study highlights the value of including health care professionals in vocational rehabilitation to benefit from their specific knowledge of the target group and that group's strengths and needs. Moreover, the study highlights the need to incorporate collaboration with employers and align with the local labor market in the development of vocational rehabilitation interventions.

Purpose The literature on racial differences in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services has not been updated for over a decade. Methods Using the 2017 individual-level U.S. national RSA-911 data, supplemented with the 2017 American Community Survey and publicly available information from the Kaiser Family Foundation, we investigated racial differences at each step of the VR process—application, eligibility, service provision, and employment outcomes at closure. Results At the first step, application, White individuals with disabilities were less likely to apply than their African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic counterparts, and more likely to apply than their Asian counterparts. For the remaining three steps, the results were inverted: the White subgroup had higher eligibility rates, service rates, and employment rates than the African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic subgroups, and lower rates than the Asian subgroup. Conclusions These findings suggest that racial and ethnic differences continue to exist in the VR process despite several legislative acts and policy efforts. Within each racial and ethnic minority group, we also found large variation in application rates and employment rates across states, which indicates a need for developing performance measures and standardized guidelines for state VR agencies to better serve individuals with disabilities from racial and ethnic minorities.

Purpose To investigate differences in modified-return-to work (MRTW) within the first 30 days of a work-related, short-term disability injury by immigration characteristics. This question was part of a program of research investigating differences in work and health experiences among immigrant workers and explanations for longer work disability durations. Methods Workers' compensation claims, immigration records and medical registry data were linked to identify a sample of workers in British Columbia, Canada with a short-term disability claim for a work-related back strain, concussion, limb fracture or connective tissue injury occurring between 2009 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regressions, stratified by injury type, investigated the odds of MRTW, defined as at least one day within the first 30 days on claim, associated with immigration characteristics, defined as a Canadian-born worker versus a worker who immigrated via the economic, family member or refugee/other humanitarian classification. Results Immigrant workers who arrived to Canada as a family member or as a refugee/other immigrant had a reduced odds of MRTW within the first 30 days of work disability for a back strain, concussion and limb fracture, compared to Canadian-born workers. Differences in MRTW were not observed for immigrant workers who arrived to Canada via the economic classification, or for connective tissue injuries. Conclusion The persistent and consistent finding of reduced MRTW for the same injury for different immigration classifications highlights contexts (work, health, social, language) that disadvantage some immigrants upon arrival to Canada and that persist over time even after entry into the workforce, including barriers to MRTW.

Septembre 2022

Purpose Long-term sick leave is a serious concern in developed countries and the cost of sickness absence and disability benefits cause major challenges for both the individual and society as a whole. Despite an increasing body of research reported by existing systematic reviews, there is uncertainty regarding the effect on return to work of workrelated interventions for workers with different diagnoses. The objective of this systematic review was to assess and summarize available research about the effects of work-related interventions for people on long-term sick leave and those at risk of long-term sick leave. Methods We conducted a systematic review in accordance with international guidelines. Campbell Collaboration (Area: Social Welfare), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Sociological Abstracts were systematically searched in March 2021. Two authors independently screened the studies. We conducted risk of bias assessments and meta-analyses of the available evidence in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The remaining comparisons were synthesized narratively. The certainty of evidence for each outcome was assessed. Results We included 20 RCTs comprising 5753 participants at baseline from 4 different countries. The studies had generally low risk of bias. Our certainty in the effect estimates ranged from very low to moderate. Eight different interventions were identified. Meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MR) and usual care (US) (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.01; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% 0.70-1.48 at 12 months follow-up) and between MR and other active intervention (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.04; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% 0.86-1.25 at 12 months follow-up). Remaining intervention groups revealed marginal, or no effect compared to the control group. The results for the secondary outcomes (self-efficacy, symptom reduction, function, cost-effectiveness) showed varied and small effects in the intervention groups. Conclusion Overall, the present data showed no conclusive evidence of which work-related intervention is most effective for return to work. However, a handful of potential interventions exist, that may contribute to a foundation for future research. Our findings support the need for adequately powered and methodologically strong studies.

Purpose To achieve adequate return to work (RTW) after sickness absence, Dutch legislation prescribes cooperation between absent employees and employers. Yet, we lack insight into how employees with low levels of education exercise influence over (i.e. self-direct) RTW. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of: A) the role that employers play in the self-direction of employees with low levels of education over their RTW, B) how employers perceive these employees’ efforts (or lack thereof) to self-direct their own RTW, and how employers understand and interpret the behaviours of these employees. Methods Social cognitive theory served as a framework. A qualitative study was conducted with 13 employer representatives using semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed in NVivo12 using a template approach. Results Employers tend to play a guiding, directive role in employees’ RTW. According to employers, employees generally comply with the employers’ decisions and suggestions, whether or not they have tried to realise their own preferences regarding mode and timing of RTW. Employers interpret such employee behaviours from the perspective of environmental (e.g. financial pressures to RTW) and person-related factors (e.g. sickness and RTW perceptions). Employers, rather than employees direct the employees’ RTW. Conclusion Employers should give voice to employees and enable them to have more control over their RTW. Future research should acquire more insight in the employees’ perspective.

Purpose Return to work is a complex and challenging process which takes various forms in different contexts. The aim of this study is to explore and compare cross-country differences in stakeholders' experiences and views on actors, policies and practices relevant for return to work after long-term sickness absence. The comparative exploration is done in six countries with various legislative backgrounds, welfare and social dialogue systems. Methods Using a purposive sample, six multidisciplinary stakeholders group discussions were conducted in six countries: Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Romania and Slovakia. A total of 51 individuals comprised of social partners, policymakers or representatives of public bodies and patient associations participated. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to derive the most important themes in the discussions. Results Five major themes emerged from the group discussions. A graphic model is proposed to emphasize the variety of frameworks and processes across countries. Conclusions The core part of the return to work process is the dynamic relation between legislation, stakeholders and practices, which is influenced by broader national and societal factors. The cross-country variation in legislations, stakeholders and practices can be understood as a continuum, from low to high structuring, development and comprehensiveness. Although social dialogue appears to have a role in return to work process with variation across countries, it is not always on top of the agenda of social partners.

Août 2022

Returning to work in critical care after a break in clinical practice can be a daunting process. This article describes development and evolution of the Critical Care, Resuscitation, Airway Skills: Helping you return to work (CRASH) course, including the supporting literature. CRASH is the first bi-national course assisting return to work (RTW) for critical care practitioners. It evolved as a collaborative effort across Australia and New Zealand, involving anaesthetists, emergency physicians and intensivists. The course is based around tailored sessions practising skills and clinical decision-making using simulation and case discussions, incorporating practical tips on returning to work. Participants receive resources to assist RTW including questionnaires and checklists developed by the faculty, which have been used to aid RTW in more than 30 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Attendance is open to all critical care practitioners who are registered with the relevant medical board and returning to work, who have taken leave from work for any reason. Since 2014, 197 participants have attended CRASH in-person or virtually, one of the largest RTW groups described in the literature. The aim of this article is to outline the literature around inactivity and RTW, and describe the development and adaptation of the CRASH course.

Purpose For persons on disability benefits who are facing multiple problems, active labour market policies seem less successful. Besides health problems, these people perceive personal, social, and environmental problems. Since very little is known about these "non-medical" problems our aim was to explore the prevalence of clients experiencing multiple problems, the types and number of perceived problems, combinations of perceived problems, and associated characteristics in a group of work disability benefit recipients. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study, using self-reported data on perceived problems and socio-demographics, and register data from the Dutch Social Security Institute on diagnosed diseases and employment status. A convenient group of labour experts recruited eligible clients on work disability benefit. Results Of the 207 persons on work disability benefit, 87% perceived having multiple problems. Most reported problems were related to physical (76%) or mental (76%) health. Health problems most frequently occurred together with a mismatch in education, financial problems, or care for family members. Clients with lower education experienced significantly more problems than clients with an intermediate or high educational level. Conclusions Clients with multiple problems face severe and intertwined problems in different domains of life, and need tailored multi-actor work disability management. Implications for rehabilitation: Clients with multiple problems face severe and intertwined problems in different domains of life; therefore, interventions tailored to deal with needs related to specific problems might be more effective than traditional programs. Interventions should match experienced barriers, and involve multi-actor work disability management with all the challenges of mutual cooperation. For persons with multiple problems a focus on pure medical barriers is too narrow, because personal, social, and environmental factors might also obstruct participation in work.

Purpose Safety climate (SC) is a robust leading indicator of occupational safety outcomes. There is, however, limited research on SC among workers who have returned to work with a work-related permanent impairment. This study examined three propositions: (1) a two-level model of SC (group-level and organization-level SC) will provide the best fit to the data; (2) antecedent factors such as safety training, job demands, supervisor and coworker support, and decision latitude will predict SC; and (3) previously reported associations between SC and outcomes such as reinjury, work-family conflict, job performance, and job security will be observed. Methods A representative cross-sectional survey gathered information about experiences during the first year of work reintegration. About one year after claim closure, 599 interviews with workers were conducted (53.8% response rate). Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the factor structure of the SC construct. Further, researchers used correlation analyses to examine the criterion-related validity. Results Consistent with general worker populations, our findings suggest the following: (1) the two-factor structure of SC outperformed the single-factor structure in our population of workers with a permanent impairment; (2) correlations demonstrate that workplace safety training, decision latitude, supervisor support, coworker support, and job demand could predict SC; and (3) SC may positively impact reinjury risk, work-family conflict, and may increase job performance and job security. Conclusions Our study validated a two-factor SC scale among workers with a history of disabling workplace injury or permanent impairment who have returned to work. Practical applications of this scale will equip organizations with the necessary data to improve working conditions for this population.

Purpose The return-to-work (RTW) process for people with multimorbidity and psychosocial difficulties can be complicated. This study explores the organisational prerequisites for coordinating these patients' RTW processes from the perspective of coordinators in different clinical areas in Sweden. Methods Six focus group interviews were conducted with 24 coordinators working in primary healthcare (PHC), psychiatric and orthopaedic clinics. The data were analysed thematically, inspired by organisation theory. Results Coordinators described varying approaches to people with multimorbidity and psychosocial difficulties, with more hesitancy among PHC coordinators, who were perceived by other coordinators as hindering patient flows between clinical areas. Most organisational barriers to RTW were identified in the healthcare sector. These were long waiting times, physicians drawing up inadequate RTW plans, coordinators being involved late in the sickness absence process, and lack of rehabilitation programmes for people with multimorbidity. The barriers in relation to organisations such as Social Insurance Agency and Employment Services were caused by regulations and differing perspectives, priorities, and procedures. Conclusion Our findings indicate what is needed to improve the RTW process for patients with complex circumstances: better working conditions, steering, and guidelines; shorter waiting times; and a willingness among coordinators from different clinical areas to collaborate around patients. Implications for rehabilitation: RTW coordinators need sufficient physical and psychosocial working conditions as well as clear leadership. In order to avoid inequalities in access to RTW support, better systems are needed to identify patients who would benefit from rehabilitation and RTW coordination. There is a need for multilevel collaboration between clinical areas so that patients with multiple healthcare contacts and prolonged sickness absence can obtain support during the RTW process.

Purpose Much of the existing research on disability and disability-related workplace accommodations presume that disabilities are visible and commonly accepted. Yet, many disabilities are invisible and contested, or perceived as fake, low-severity/minor, and/or illegitimate. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of identity management strategies that individuals with contested disabilities might use when requesting accommodations in a workplace setting. Methods We used two electronic experiments to investigate the effect of identity management strategies on perceived fairness of accommodations and attributions about individuals requesting accommodations. Studies 1 and 2 used online surveys to collect data from 117 and 184 working adults, respectively. Results Study 1 indicates that four invisible disabilities (chronic fatigue syndrome, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and chronic migraine) are viewed as significantly less legitimate than the visible disability paraplegia. In study 2, any form of disclosure of a contested disability (vs. no disclosure) resulted in higher perceived fairness and more positive attributions about the person requesting accommodations. There were minimal differences between the different identity management strategies tested. Conclusion Workplaces should work to create spaces in which employees can disclose contested disabilities to managers and coworkers without fear of enhanced stigmatization.

Juillet 2022

Purpose There is an increasing emphasis on activating workers on sick leave and on using their residual work capacity. This article compares activation via graded-work schemes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, with a focus on the role of employers. Results The analysis of literature sources and survey data reveals an ongoing reform activity, as well as great diversity in terms of employer obligations and incentives in the countries studied. These differences are very consequential for the intensity of employer efforts to activate sick-listed workers, even when comparing countries that otherwise share many institutional features. The distinction between public and privatised systems of sickness insurance, on the contrary, seems to be less relevant for the question of employer participation in activation. Conclusion The findings are consistent with the expectation that less comprehensive employer participation is correlated with stronger selectivity in activation efforts. Depending on the prevailing approach in the individual countries and on developments to date, policy-makers are confronted with different challenges and priorities.

Return to work is at the crossroads of complex medical, legal, economic and social concepts and involves a multitude of stakeholders who are often far removed from the reality of care in the medical practice. This article presents some basic concepts on return to work and explores some good practice guidelines. It also describes the role and limits of the occupational physician in the company and mentions possible areas of collaboration with social insurers and employers. It aims to provide concrete elements for the practice of the primary care physician.

Juin 2022

Purpose This article provides a state-of-the-art review of issues and factors associated with the sustainable return to work (S-RTW) of ethnocultural minority workers experiencing disability situations attributable to one of four major causes: musculoskeletal disorders, common mental disorders, other chronic diseases or cancer. Methods Using an interpretive description method, an integrative review was conducted of the literature on ethnocultural factors influencing S-RTW issues and factors associated with these four major work-disability causes. An initial review of the 2006-2016 literature was subsequently updated for November 2016-May 2021. To explore and contextualize the results, four focus groups were held with RTW stakeholders representing workplaces, insurers, the healthcare system and workers. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed. Results A total of 56 articles were analyzed and 35 stakeholders participated in four focus groups. Two main findings emerged. First, belonging to an ethnocultural minority group appears associated with cumulative risk factors that may contribute to vulnerability situations and compound the complexity of S-RTW. Second, cultural differences with respect to the prevailing host-country culture may generate communication and trust issues, and conflicts in values and representations, in turn possibly hindering the establishment of positive relationships among all stakeholders and the ability to meet workers' needs. Being a woman in these groups and/or having a lower level of integration into the host country's culture also appear associated with greater S-RTW challenges. Conclusions Based on our findings, we recommend several possible strategies, such as the cultural humility model, for preventing differences from exacerbating the already significant vulnerability situation of some ethnocultural minority workers.

Purpose This article is a scoping review of efforts in labour market inclusion of the chronically ill in the Scandinavian countries, a research area that has received much political as well as research attention in recent years. The aim of the review was to identify promising strategies and the need for further research. Methods Six electronic databases were searched for literature published between 2015 and 2020. We included peer-reviewed articles that studied the effect of measures, aimed at the workplace or at the individual, that are intended to increase participation. Our search resulted in 2718 articles; our screening procedures resulted in 47 included articles. Results Among the included studies, musculoskeletal problems (17 articles) and mental health problems (29 articles) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Multimodal occupational rehabilitation programmes directed towards the individual employee were the most frequent interventions (30 articles). Return to work (24 articles) and sickness absence (12 articles) were the most common outcomes. About half (25 articles) of the included studies reported a positive impact of the intervention on work inclusion of the chronically ill. Conclusions Our review found little evidence of how government programmes directed towards the supply side of the labour market succeed in including the chronically ill. Our review further indicated that multidisciplinary workplace interventions have a substantial effect. We also identified a significant lack of research on the effect of various governmental policies and programmes, including local health, work and welfare services, and limited coordination and cooperation between health and work services professions.

Purpose This article focuses on the risk that work disability policies lock people into work disability rather than promote durable health and return to work. We outline the concept of a work disability trap as a heuristic device to explore this policy paradox inherent in the design of most social insurance systems. Methods This is a conceptual paper drawing on examples from existing research. Results We identify three manifestations of the disability trap: not overcoming disability; underperforming; and returning to work prematurely. The causes of these manifestations are identified as structural rather than based on malingering clients, while negative consequences are identified both on client and system levels. Conclusion We emphasize the need for systems built on trust and reasonable expectations, and the need for providing rehabilitation support independently of economic compensation. Universal basic income is introduced as a potential tool to ameliorate some of the consequences of the disability trap.Implications for rehabilitation Compensation systems focusing too prominently on early return to work may have counter-productive effects on rehabilitation.Overly suspicious assessment systems nurture a view of people as malingerers. Rehabilitation professionals need to be attentive to system-generated effects which may prevent overcoming work disability.

Purpose This systematic review aims to synthesise existing evidence on doctors' personal, social and organisational needs when returning to clinical work after an absence. Methods Design: Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data sources: AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO and PubMed were searched up to 4 June 2020. Non-database searches included references and citations of identified articles and pages 1-10 of Google and Google Scholar. Eligibility criteria: Included studies presented quantitative or qualitative data collected from doctors returning to work, with findings relating to personal, social or organisational needs. Data extraction and synthesis: Data were extracted using a piloted template. Risk of bias assessment used the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument or Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist. Data were not suitable for meta-analyses and underwent narrative synthesis due to varied study designs and mixed methods. Results Twenty-four included studies (14 quantitative, 10 qualitative) presented data from 92 692 doctors in the UK (n=13), US (n=4), Norway (n=3), Japan (n=2), Spain (n=1), Canada (n=1). All studies identified personal needs, categorised as work-life balance, emotional regulation, self-perception and identity, and engagement with return process. Seventeen studies highlighted social needs relating to professional culture, personal and professional relationships, and illness stigma. Organisational needs found in 22 studies were flexibility and job control, work design, Occupational Health services and organisational culture. Emerging resources and recommendations were highlighted. Variable quality and high risk of biases in data collection and analysis suggest cautious interpretation. Conclusion This review posits a foundational framework of returning doctors' needs, requiring further developed through methodologically robust studies that assess the impact of length and reason for absence, before developing and evaluating tailored interventions. Organisations, training programmes and professional bodies should refine support for returning doctors based on evidence.

Purpose This article, the first in the Return-to-Work (RTW) Corner series, summarizes a comprehensive RTW and Stay-at-Work (SAW) program in Kentucky, which is funded by the United States Department of Labor. Methods The program, Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network: Kentucky (RETAIN Kentucky), focuses on RTW and SAW strategies, depending upon participants' employment status at the time of enrollment in the project. RETAIN Kentucky services are implemented by RTW Coordinators (RTWCs) who help people with non-work-related injuries and illnesses continue in the workforce. The first Phase of RETAIN Kentucky, which lasted for nearly 3 years, is now informing the Phase 2 intervention, which began in October 2021 and will enroll participants for 30 months. Results In this article, we outline the employment retention problem that RETAIN Kentucky addresses, describe the key features and services of the program, summarize our findings so far, and present future directions for Phase 2.

Purpose Motivation may predict return to work (RTW), yet the measurement of motivation needs more scientific evidence. We adopt a dimensional approach, based on the self-determination theory (SDT), distinguishing between amotivation, controlled and autonomous motivation. We seek to explore the presence of these dimensions in sick-disabled patients, and are interested in associations with quality of life, depression, patient's predictions of RTW, and health care provider estimations of patient's motivation. Methods A cross-sectional study in 336 patients was conducted. Motivation was assessed using the Motivation at Work Scale (MAWS) and examined in relation to patient outcomes, patient's prediction of RTW, and health care provider estimations of patients' motivation. A cluster analysis was performed, and differential associations between motivational profiles were explored. Results Cluster analysis revealed four profiles. Highly controlled profiles were most prevalent, reported poorer mental quality of life, and expected a longer time before RTW, regardless of the level of autonomous motivation. Interestingly, the health care provider's estimation was not related to controlled motivation. Conclusions Our results show that SDT may help to differentiate people with a work disability regarding their motivation to RTW. Most notably, the devastating consequences of controlled motivation are discussed, and clinical implications are provided. Implications for Rehabilitation Assessing the different dimensions of motivation in the context of RTW will be a significant advance as the self-report measures appear to be viable tools. Controlled motivation, which indicates that people are motivated to RTW but only because they "have to", has negative consequences yet a high prevalence and should therefore be addressed by the practitioner. Practitioners should keep in mind that employees are motivated by several motives at the same time, with some being more beneficial than others. Controlled motivation can be converted into autonomous (i.e., good quality) motivation by supporting autonomy of the patient, by supporting their relationships with colleagues, managers, and health care providers and by supporting their feeling of competence in the RTW process.

Mai 2022

Purpose Long-term disability has a great impact on both society and workers with disabilities. Little is known about the barriers which prohibit workers with long-term disabilities from returning to work and which interventions are best suited to counteract these barriers. The main purpose of this study was to obtain consensus among professionals on important return to work (RTW) factors and effective vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions for long-term (> 2 years), partially disabled workers. Our three research questions were: (1) which factors are associated with RTW for long-term disabled workers?; (2) which factors associated with RTW can be targeted by VR interventions?; and (3) which VR interventions are the most effective to target these factors? Methods A modified Delphi Study was conducted using a panel of 22 labour experts, caseworkers, and insurance physicians. The study consisted of several rounds of questionnaires and one online meeting. Results The multidisciplinary panel reached consensus that 58 out of 67 factors were important for RTW and that 35 of these factors could be targeted using VR interventions. In five rounds, the expert panel reached consensus that 11 out of 22 VR interventions were effective for at least one of the eight most important RTW factors. Conclusions Consensus was reached among the expert panel that many factors that are important for the RTW of short-term disabled workers are also important for the RTW of long-term partially disabled workers and that a substantial number of these factors could effectively be targeted using VR interventions. The results of this study will be used to develop a decision aid that supports vocational rehabilitation professionals in profiling clients and in choosing suitable VR interventions.

Avril 2022

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate whether an integrated return-to-work (RTW) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) program - the Work Reintegration (WR) program - was associated with reduced work disability duration in the construction sector in Ontario, Canada. Methods Workers' compensation data from the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board were extracted for lost-time construction worker claims following work-related injuries between 2009 and 2015. Claims receiving referrals to RTW and VR specialists (treatments) were matched with claims receiving no referrals (controls) during the periods before and after the WR program introduction. Multivariable difference-in-differences linear and quantile regression models were used to examine differences in cumulative disability days paid during two-years post-injury between treatment and control groups before and after the program change and the difference in these differences, overall, and at different disability distribution percentiles. Results The WR program introduction was associated with reductions in cumulative disability days paid for all claims but most notably among longer duration claims referred to RTW specialists (reduction of 274 days at the 90 th percentile in the disability distribution) and shorter duration claims referred to VR specialists (reductions of 255 and 214 days at the 25 th and 50 th percentiles in the disability distribution, respectively). Conclusions The WR program introduction was effective in reducing cumulative disability days paid for construction worker claims but the effects varied at different percentiles in the disability distribution, as well as by specialist referral. The findings highlight the benefits of better integrated RTW and VR services to injured workers in the construction sector.

Purpose To identify predictors of return to work, duration of time off work, and claim closure for first responders experiencing injuries or illnesses, and summarize the claim data. Methods First responder claims collected between January 2012 and July 2017 were obtained from a disability management company. Known predictors of return to work were extracted from the data including age, sex, diagnosis, years of service, claim lag, medical report lag, and the return-to-work duties. Survival analyses were performed to identify predictors of return to work and claim closure using the Cox proportional regression analysis. Log-rank tests were performed to identify predictors that affected the rate of return to work and claim closure. Summary statistics were performed for the injury and return-to-work data. Results 60 of the 67 (89.6%) identified first responders returned to work within the data collection period. Musculoskeletal injuries predicted an increased likelihood of returning to work (hazard ratio = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.14-3.60) and a shorter duration of time off work (37 days on average) compared to mental health issues. Everyday of claim lag and medical report lag predicted a 2% decrease in likelihood of return to work. Returning to work was the only predictor of claim closure. 45 (67.2%) first responders returned to their pre-absence duties. 22 (32.8%) mental health claims and 45 (67.2%) injury claims were identified. Conclusions 89.6% of first responders returned to work, although only 67.2% returned to their pre-absence duties. Predictors of return to work included injury type, as first responders with musculoskeletal injuries returned to work sooner, and claim and medical lag delayed the return to work.

Purpose Mental health conditions are a major contributor to productivity loss and are common after injury. This study quantifies postinjury productivity loss and its association with preinjury and postinjury mental health, injury, demographic, health, social and other factors. Methods Multicentre, longitudinal study recruiting hospitalised employed individuals aged 16-69 years with unintentional injuries, followed up at 1, 2, 4 and 12 months. Participants completed questionnaires on injury, demographic factors, health (including mental health), social factors, other factors and on-the-job productivity upon return to work (RTW). ORs were estimated for above median productivity loss using random effects logistic regression. Results 217 adults had made an RTW at 2, 4 or 12 months after injury: 29% at 2 months, 66% at 4 months and 83% at 12 months. Productivity loss reduced over time: 3.3% of working time at 2 months, 1.7% at 4 months, 1% at 12 months. Significantly higher productivity loss was associated with preinjury psychiatric conditions (OR 21.40, 95% CI 3.50 to 130.78) and post-traumatic stress avoidance symptoms at 1 month (OR for 1-unit increase in score 1.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.22). Significantly lower productivity loss was associated with male gender (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.74), upper and lower limb injuries (vs other body regions, OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.81) and sports injuries (vs home, OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.78). Preinjury psychiatric conditions and gender remained significant in analysis of multiply imputed data. Conclusions Unintentional injury results in substantial productivity loss. Females, those with preinjury psychiatric conditions and those with post-traumatic stress avoidance symptoms experience greater productivity loss and may require additional support to enable successful RTW.

© Kellezi B, Dhiman P, Coupland C, Whitehead J, Morriss R, Joseph S, Beckett K, Sleney J, Barnes J, Kendrick D, Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 2022 Apr; Vol. 28 (2), pp. 131-140

Février 2022

Purpose Coordination of return to work (RtW) is implemented in many countries, but a Cochrane review found no considerable effect on workers' sick leave compared to usual care. The aim of the study is to analyse how the evidence from this review can be used for decisions about (de-)implementing RtW coordination in a country-specific setting, using Finland as an example. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search and online survey with two groups of experts to compare interventions included in the Cochrane review to Finnish RtW practice using content analysis methods. We applied the evidence-to-decision (EtD) framework criteria to draw conclusions about (de-)implementing RtW coordination in Finland, including benefits, harms and costs of the intervention compared to usual care. Results We included seven documents from the literature search and received data from 10 of 42 survey participants. RtW coordination included, both in Finland and in the review, at least one face-to-face meeting between the physician and the worker, a workers' needs assessment, and an individual RtW plan and its implementation. Usual care focuses on medical treatment and may include general RtW advice. RtW coordination would be cost-saving if it decreases sick leave with at least 2 days compared to usual care. The evidence in the Cochrane review was mainly of low certainty, and the effect sizes had relatively wide confidence intervals. Only a new, high-quality and large randomized controlled trial (RCT) can decrease the current uncertainty, but this is unlikely to happen. The EtD framework did not provide arguments for further implementation or for de-implementation of the intervention. Conclusions Interventions evaluated in the Cochrane review are similar to RtW coordination and usual care interventions in Finland. Considering all EtD framework criteria, including certainty of the evidence and costs, de-implementation of RtW coordination interventions in Finland seems unnecessary. Better evidence about the costs and stakeholders' values regarding RtW coordination is needed to improve decision-making.

Purpose This study examined how the participation of union representatives impacted return-to-work (RTW) processes, and explored key activities undertaken by union representatives involved in return-to-work coordination. Methods Forty-seven RTW coordinators (RTWCs) participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews in 2018 as part of a cross-Canadian study investigating their strategies for managing challenges in the RTW process. The study included RTWCs from a variety of organisation types, including unionized organizations. Audio-recordings were transcribed, coded, and analysed using constant case comparison and deviant case analysis leading to the development of findings themes. Results Our findings highlight the role of union representatives in RTW processes and how their activities are seen by other parties involved with work accommodation. First, we describe Union RTWC's administrative functions and the extent of their involvement in RTW accommodation negotiations. Second, we examine how Union and Non-union RTWCs framed the same RTW processes differently, according to their own accountabilities. Finally, we identify the positive ways that union participation figured into the RTW process, including playing a role in identifying viable modified work and serving as a trusted party to help reluctant workers engage with RTW plans. Conclusions We introduce a standpoint perspective to shed light on how Union and Non-union RTWCs approached accommodation issues and consider acknowledgement of power relations as a starting point for managing divergent interests.

Purpose Construction remains one of the most hazardous and disabling industries worldwide. This scoping review was completed to identify barriers and facilitators related to return-to-work (RTW) after work injury in the construction industry and gaps in the literature. Methods We searched ten databases from 1990 to 2020 for academic and grey literature. Two independent reviewers screened citations for inclusion. One team member charted the data and a second team member reviewed the coding. Articles were included if they identified any barriers or facilitators to RTW in the construction industry. The findings were synthesized into overarching themes. Results Our search identified 6706 articles for screening, with 22 articles included in the final sample. Three articles used qualitative methods, while the remaining articles were quantitative. The majority of articles were from North America and published in academic journals. Overall, findings are organized under seven main themes: worker sociodemographic characteristics; injury characteristics; worker motivation; workplace goodwill; modified work and disability management; work disability systems; and access to healthcare. Some barriers and facilitators are more relevant to the construction industry compared with the general working population. Conclusions The findings suggest that accommodations are possible for this industry but barriers still exist in identifying suitable work. More research is needed to investigate the role of union involvement, work disability management systems, gender, and organizational characteristics, such as multiple worksites, in relation to RTW in the construction industry.

Purpose Differences in disability duration after work injury have been observed across jurisdictions, regions and urban and rural settings. A key aspect of effective disability management is the access and utilization of appropriate and high quality health care. This paper presents a framework for analyzing and thus understanding how health service spending and utilization vary across and within work disability management schemes and affect work disability management. Methods Our framework was developed through a literature review and policy analysis. Existing frameworks describing geographic variation in general health care systems identified factors believed to drive that variation. A review of policy and practice documents from Canada's no-fault cause-based work disability management system identified factors relevant to work disability systems. Results We expand on previous frameworks by taking a systems approach that centers on factors relevant to the work disability management system. We further highlight predisposing, enabling, workplace environment and need-based factors that could lead to variation in health care spending and utilization across and within jurisdictions. These factors are described as shaping the interactions between workers, health care providers, employers and work disability management system actors, and influencing work disability management health and employment outcomes. Conclusion Our systems-focused approach offers a guide for researchers and policymakers to analyze how various factors may influence spending and utilization across regions and to identify areas for improvement in health care delivery within work disability management systems. Next steps include testing the framework in an analysis looking at geographic variation in spending and utilization across and within Canadian work disability management systems.

Purpose Treatment adherence is important to improve return to work in sick-listed workers. Especially in long-term sick-listed workers who apply for a disability benefit and therefore have not (fully) returned to work, it is of great value to gain insight in the adherence to advice of physicians. Non-adherence could be one of the main reasons why they have not returned to work and are sick-listed for a long-term. The aim of the study is to explore treatment adherence and possible associated factors to advice from medical and occupational health physicians in long-term sick-listed workers. Methods The study is a cross-sectional survey study among 561 long-term (partly) sick-listed workers applying for a disability benefit. Associations of sociodemographic characteristics, disease related factors, coping strategies (Utrecht Coping List, UCL), illness perception (Illness Cognition Questionnaire, ICQ) and perceived health (Short-Form 12, SF12) with treatment adherence (measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Measures of Patient Adherence, MOS-MPA) were analysed separately for adherence to medical advice (n = 348, mean age 51.3 ± 9.1 years, 55.9% female) and adherence to occupational advice (n = 229, mean age 50.4 ± 9.5 years, 54.1% female). Results Among participants, 63.3% to 76.4% reported they were able to do what the physician told them to do. However, about half of the participants found it easy to follow-up and implement the suggestions of the physician (54.3% for medical advice and 50.2% for occupational advice). Having a mental health disorder was negatively associated with adherence to medical advice. An active coping strategy, acceptance of the disease, and perceiving positive long-term consequences of the disease were associated with a higher adherence, whereas focusing on the negative consequences was associated with a lower adherence, both for medical and occupational advice. Conclusions The tendency to adhere to medical and occupational advice in long-term sick-listed workers is relatively low. In order to increase return to work in this population, medical and occupational health physicians should especially be aware of the adherence of sick-listed workers with mental health disorders, but also on those who focus on the negative consequences of their (physical or mental health) disorder.

Purpose Employers play an important role in facilitating sustainable return to work (RTW) by workers with disabilities. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how employers who were successful in retaining workers with disabilities at work fulfilled their supportive role, and which facilitators were essential to support these workers throughout the RTW process. Methods We conducted a semi-structured interview study among 27 employers who had experience in retaining workers with disabilities within their organization. We explored the different phases of RTW, from the onset of sick leave until the period, after 2-years of sick-leave, and when they can apply for disability benefit. We analyzed data by means of thematic analysis. Results We identified three types of employer support: (1) instrumental (offering work accommodations), (2) emotional (encouragement, empathy, understanding) and (3) informational (providing information, setting boundaries). We identified three facilitators of employer support (at organizational and supervisor levels): (1) good collaboration, including (in)formal contact and (in)formal networks; (2) employer characteristics, including supportive organizational culture and leadership skills; and (3) worker characteristics, including flexibility and self-control. Conclusions Employers described three different possible types of support for the worker with disabilities: instrumental, emotional, and informational. The type and intensity of employer support varies during the different phases, which is a finding that should be further investigated. Good collaboration and flexibility of both employer and worker were reported as facilitators of optimal supervisor/worker interaction during the RTW process, which may show that sick-listed workers and their supervisors have a joint responsibility for the RTW process. More insight is needed on how this supervisor/worker interaction develops during the RTW process.

Janvier 2022

Purpose The aim was to explore firefighter's experiences during their recovery from injury. Focused specifically on exploring perceived psychosocial barriers and facilitators firefighters faced during recovery and return to work. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to provide an in-depth understanding of the firefighter's experiences. The semi-structured interviews were informed by a topic guide. The topic guide focused on five main themes, (1) overall experience of returning to operational duties following an injury, (2) perceived barriers experienced during their return to work, (3) perceived facilitators experienced during their return to work, (4) confidence in participating in physical activity following injury and (5) where they felt areas of improvement could be made with the return to work process. Thematic analysis of the data collected was undertaken using The Framework Method. Results Two main themes were sought after transcription: barriers and facilitators. From these, nine subthemes were identified (1) communication, (2) confidence in physical activity participation, (3) modified duties, (4) physiotherapy, (5) return to operational duties, (6) support, (7) inconsistency, (8) use of station gyms, (9) detachment from the watch. Conclusions Consideration should be made for the consistency of procedures followed during an individual's return to work following an injury. Further research is needed to understand if the themes identified in this study are the same for other fire services. Further research is also needed to understand how the findings may be best implemented within the fire service.

Purpose Identify and synthesise qualitative research evidence on activities and processes within formal vocational service provision that contribute to experiences of effective support to gain employment for people living with long term conditions. Methods A pre-published protocol was developed using PRISMA guidelines. Seven databases were searched to identify qualitative research. Results of the search were screened against inclusion criteria and for methodological quality. Findings from included studies were extracted and then analysed using thematic synthesis methods. Results Twenty two studies met the inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified that elucidated factors that contribute to experiences of supportive and effective vocational rehabilitation service delivery: a personalised service with service user preferences at the core; sustainable, timely and ongoing support; proactive collaboration with the employing organisation; peer support, the essential and necessary skills for gaining employment; and critical vocational worker skills, knowledge and attitudes. Conclusion This study demonstrates the utility of synthesising qualitative research to provide insight into the factors that contribute to experiences of supportive and effective vocational rehabilitation services that traverse various contexts. Future high quality qualitative research is required to probe a broader range of long term conditions to better identify the similarities and differences across services and groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Across qualitative studies, common aspects of "good" vocational services can be identified that contribute to experiences of effective support to gain paid work for people living with long term conditions. Services are experienced positively when they are personalised, flexible, collaborative and take into account both lived experience and knowledge of the person's condition. Vocational rehabilitation services should proactively build collaborative relationships between the job seeker, employing organisation and other agencies and services. Specific skills and services that people living with long-term conditions find particularly helpful include peer support, work-focused skill development and workplace adjustment and accommodations.

Purpose To identify whether there were differences in work disability duration between injured workers employed by small, medium, large, and self-insured firms and whether these differences varied between workers' compensation jurisdictions in Canada and Australia. Methods Workers' compensation data were used to identify comparable lost-time, work-related injury and musculoskeletal disorder claims in five Canadian and five Australian jurisdictions between 2011 and 2015. Work disability duration was measured using cumulative disability days paid up to one-year post-injury. Jurisdiction-specific quantile regression models were used to estimate differences in cumulative disability days paid to claims from small (< 20 full-time equivalents (FTEs)) medium (20-199 FTEs), large (200 + FTEs) and self-insured firms at the 25th, 50th, and 70th percentiles in the disability distribution, adjusting for confounders. Results Compared to large firms, workers in small firms generally had longer work disability duration at each percentile, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta (Canada), Victoria and Australian Capital Territory (Australia), where an additional 31.1, 18.4, 58.5 and 37.0 days were paid at the 75th percentiles, respectively. The disability duration of workers from self-insured firms was longer than large firms in all Canadian jurisdictions but was shorter or no different in Australian jurisdictions. Smaller differences were observed between claims from large and medium-sized firms. Conclusions Workers in small firms had longer work disability duration than those in large firms in all but one of the study jurisdictions. Claims management processes need to be sensitive to the challenges that small firms face in accommodating and returning injured workers back to work.

Purpose Workers who experience language barriers are more likely to get injured or sick because of their work and have poorer claim and return-to-work outcomes compared to other workers. Methods To better understand the systemic factors that shape access to compensation in contexts of language barriers, we compared language accommodation policies and practices in the Quebec and Ontario workers' compensation systems. Results We uncovered gaps limiting access to professional interpreters in both provinces, although gaps were more pronounced in Quebec where workers were responsible for the cost of interpreters. Conclusions We argue that simply improving the linguistic competence of workers' compensation systems is not sufficient to tackle access barriers and must be accompanied by efforts to address the root causes of social and economic inequities for workers who experience language barriers.

Décembre 2021

Purpose Work can offer a myriad of social and health benefits. Long-term sick leave can be detrimental to employers, individuals, families, and societies. The burden of long-term sick leave has motivated the development of return to work (RTW) interventions. This study sought to determine what constitutes an effective psychosocial RTW intervention, which included exploring whether the level of intervention intensity and intervention characteristics matter to RTW outcomes. Methods A systematic review and narrative synthesis were undertaken. Studies were identified through six databases (Ovid Medline, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PsycInfo (Ovid), ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar) between 2011 and 3 September 2019. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or reviews published in English were eligible for inclusion if they targeted adults who were on sick leave/unemployed trying to return to full-capacity employment, had at least one structured psychosocial RTW intervention, and assessed RTW. Study quality was assessed using checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results Database searching yielded 12,311 records. Eighteen RCTs (comprising 42 intervention/comparison groups), seven reviews (comprising 153 studies), and five grey literature documents were included. Included studies were of moderate-to-high quality. Research was primarily conducted in Europe and focused on psychological or musculoskeletal problems. RTW outcomes included RTW status, time until RTW, insurance claims, and sick days. Participating in a RTW program was superior to care-as-usual. RTW outcomes were similar between diverse interventions of low, moderate, and high intensity. Common foundational characteristics seen across effective RTW interventions included a focus on RTW, psychoeducation, and behavioural activation. Conclusions Evidence suggests that a low intensity approach to RTW interventions may be an appropriate first option before investment in high intensity, and arguably more expensive interventions, as the latter appear to provide limited additional benefit. More high-quality RCTs, from diverse countries, are needed to provide stronger evidence.

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop an operationalized transdiagnostic resilience-based intervention for workers at risk of long-term work disability. Methods A sequential mixed method design was used. Expert clinicians ( n = 10) first answered a questionnaire including closed and open-ended questions on the clarity, applicability, relevance and exhaustiveness of a preliminary resilience intervention developed from evidenced-informed resilience factors to prompt reflection. Second, proposals from the questionnaire were discussed at a consensus group meeting with the same experts, yielding a final and improved intervention. Third, semi-structured interviews with work-disabled workers ( n = 6) explored the intervention's acceptability to them. Thematic analysis of the verbatim was performed. Results Experts identified 15 statements on clarity, applicability, relevance or exhaustiveness in the questionnaire that did not achieve consensus and generated 41 modification proposals. The consensus group adopted 15 modifications. The adapted intervention was well-accepted by the workers who had completed a work rehabilitation program. They perceived the intervention as positive, relevant, coherent, useful and consistent with their values. Conclusion A new transdiagnostic resilience intervention in work rehabilitation is available and was on exploratory basis seen acceptable by workers. Next step would be to validate it at a larger scale with more workers and other stakeholders. Promoting workers resilience in work rehabilitation fosters a holistic approach in clinical practice. Resilience interventions should be integrated into work rehabilitation programs. A new transdiagnostic resilience intervention designed to complement current work rehabilitation programs is available.

Purpose Activation policies and efforts to reduce sick leave rates has influenced sickness insurance systems in Western countries, which has led to social security being more connected with work and attempts to expose malingering among the sickness absent. The aim of this study was to explore how power and trust are expressed by clients and stakeholders within the Swedish sickness insurance system. Methods This was a longitudinal qualitative study based on semi structured interviews and case files from 31 clients on sick leave in Sweden. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results The main theme ‘Acts of power and distrust’ illustrates how stakeholders’ express suspicions towards each other, and how clients need to demonstrate desire and efforts to return to work which other stakeholders verified. Conclusions The clients desire to prove themselves able to contribute to society was prominent in this study and power relations need to be acknowledged, in particular between client and the SIA. Further, to preserve citizens trust in the system, the system needs to demonstrate trust also in the clients.

Novembre 2021

Purpose This study examined how meeting the medical needs of injured workers after initial treatment may affect their return to work, using data from the Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance. Methods This study was designed as a longitudinal study, which used data from the second-year, follow-up survey conducted in the secondary cohort of the Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval were estimated through binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses to examine the effects of unmet medical needs on workers' return to original work and return to work overall (including reemployment). Results The returned to original work OR of workers whose rehabilitation needs were met was 1.35 (1.12-1.63) while the return to work OR was 1.20 (1.03-1.41). The returned to original work OR of workers whose medical needs were met was 1.64 (1.18-2.27) while the return to work OR was 1.39 (1.07-1.80). In terms of disability rating, the return to work ORs of workers with mild disabilities whose medical/rehabilitation needs were not met and those of workers without disabilities were 1.71 (1.17-2.49) and 1.97 (1.27-3.08), respectively. In the case of regular/temporary workers, the returned-to-work ORs of workers whose medical/rehabilitation needs were not met were 1.54 (1.12-2.13) and 1.27 (1.03-1.56), respectively. Conclusions For workers who sustained work-related injuries, providing medical accessibility and meeting rehabilitation needs were found to be important predictors of return to work after initial treatment.

Purpose Employers increasingly use ‘return to work’ (RTW) coordinators to support work ability and extend working careers, particularly among employees with reduced work ability. We examined whether applying this model was associated with changes in employee sickness absence and disability retirements. Methods We used data from the Finnish Public Sector study from 2009 until 2015. Employees where the model was introduced in 2012 constituted the cases (n = 4120, one municipality) and employees where the model was not in use during the follow-up, represented the controls (n = 5600, two municipalities). We analysed risk of disability retirement in 2013–2015 and risk of sickness absence after (2013–2015) vs. before (2009–2011) intervention by case–control status. Results The incidence of disability retirement after the intervention was lower in cases compared to controls both in the total population (hazard ratio HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.30–0.79) and in the subgroup of participants with reduced work ability (HR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.12–0.99). The risk of sickness absence increased from pre-intervention to post-intervention period both among cases and controls although the relative increase was greater among cases (RRpost- vs. pre-intervention = 1.26, 95% CI 1.14–1.40) than controls (RRpost- vs. pre-intervention = 1.03, 95% CI 0.97–1.08). In the group of employees with reduced work ability, no difference in sickness absence trends between cases and controls was observed. Conclusions These findings suggest that RTW-coordinator model may increase employee sickness absence, but decrease the risk of disability retirement, i.e., permanent exclusion from the labour market.

Octobre 2021

Purpose Coordinators may play a key role during the return-to-work (RTW) process for people on sickness absence. There are still few studies on the newly implemented rehabilitation coordinators (RECO) within Swedish healthcare, and none focus on their competence. The aim of this study was to explore how persons with multimorbidity and psychosocial difficulties describe the professional competence of the RECO they encountered during their RTW process. Methods The study takes a relational and practical approach in defining professional competence, including both what professionals do and what they possess. Interviews with 12 people with multimorbidity and psychosocial difficulties who had encountered a RECO during their RTW process were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Six different themes were found: communicative and coordinating skills; advisory and guidance skills; engagement and advocacy skills; being persistent and flexible; being empathic and therapeutic; being professional and trustworthy. Conclusions Most of these are found in research on RTW coordinators, but being persistent, and having advisory, guidance, advocacy and therapeutic skills have not been recognised as important competences previously. This study adds patients' views on important professional competence that support the RTW process, which should be regarded in further developments of RECOs' functions and their competence descriptions.

Purpose Rooted in a social exchange lens, this study aimed to explore the interactions between the factors influencing stay at work after a period of disability due to an occupational injury. Methods Based on a descriptive interpretative research design, interviews with 15 participants (i.e., representatives of workers, workplaces, insurers, and the health care system) were conducted to gather their perspectives about stay at work. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Results Ten different factors interacting together and influencing stay at work were identified. These factors prevail either during stay at work or previously. They are either related to the person (personal resources, occupation outside of work), environment (accommodations, support, access to rehabilitation services) or interaction between the person and her/his environment (perceptions, leeway, communication and information), whether it concerns the workplace, health services or insurance. Conclusions This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge concerning two main themes: (1) the importance of considering social exchanges as factors of success, and (2) the importance of considering the stay at work within a larger process.

Septembre 2021

Purpose Work is a determinant of employee health, and the same conditions that contribute to an illness do not favour return to work; consequently, they hinder job retention, other employees can become ill and new leaves are generated. Objective: To analyse the nursing technicians work in intensive and semi-intensive care units (ICUs and SICUs) and discussed the influence of organisational and relational factors on return to work and job retention. This study also discusses the contributions of activity ergonomics to these processes. Method Qualitative case study based on ergonomic work analysis (EWA). Data were collected using documentary analyses, and global, systematic, and participant observations involving nursing technicians working in ICUs and SICUs. Results Task planning and the staff size adjustment to respond to the work demands of these units were ineffective in real-world situations and were aggravated by cases of absenteeism, medical leave, and employees returning to work. Conclusions Work structure limits return to work and job retention. An EWA based on the activities developed by professionals is a valid tool for understanding working processes by applying transforming actions to real-world work situations.

Purpose Previous research regarding interaction between disabled workers and insurers indicates that encounters between these parties are predominantly negative in nature and may result in psychosocial harm for workers. Further research is required to investigate positive interactions to foster return to work after illness or injury. Objective: To explore and conceptualize perceived positive encounters between disabled workers and insurers in order to identify the mechanisms that support successful rehabilitation outcomes. Methods This qualitative study explored the experiences of twenty-four disabled workers who had undergone an occupational rehabilitation process. Data were collected with in-depth semi-structured interviews, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Four main themes arose from the 24 key concepts relating to the positive encounters: (1) process flow, (2) customer orientation, (3) information and guidance, and (4) service attitude. The results also reveal that perceived positive encounters promote the return to work not only directly, but also indirectly by improving the informants' motivation, which has previously been found to be one of the most significant factors explaining the outcomes of rehabilitation. Conclusions The positive relationship between disabled workers and insurers during an occupational rehabilitation could be better understood through a conceptualization of perceived positive encounters. Underlining the importance of positive encounters and their ability to improve the rehabilitee's motivation may contribute to better support methods for the return to work.

Purpose Musculoskeletal pain and common mental disorders constitute the largest proportion of people who are on sick leave. This study investigated the efficacy of two multidisciplinary occupational rehabilitation programs on self-rated health and work-related outcomes. The interventions were identical in content but differed in length. It was hypothesized that a longer inpatient program would yield greater improvements than a shorter outpatient program. Methods Patients were sick-listed workers referred to occupational rehabilitation by the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration. A non-randomized 2 Condition (20 days, n = 64 versus 12 days, n = 62) × 4 repeated measures (start, end, 3 months, 12 months) between-subject design was used. Both programs were based on multimodal cognitive behavior therapy with a return-to-work focus. Health-related questionnaires were the Subjective Health Complaints inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and SF-36 Bodily Pain. Work-related questionnaires were the Work Ability Index, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Return To Work Self-Efficacy, and Return To Work expectations. Intervention effects were estimated using linear mixed models and Cohen's d. Results The results revealed that both groups improved on the selected outcomes. Within-group contrasts and effect sizes showed that the inpatient group showed larger effect sizes at the end of rehabilitation and 12 months post-intervention for work-related outcomes than the outpatient group. Conclusion Both programs were efficacious in improving health- and work-related outcomes during and after rehabilitation, but the inpatient group generally displayed stronger and more rapid improvements and was more stable at one-year postintervention.

Purpose Earlier studies indicate a correlation between disability claims experience and return to work outcomes. Thus, the insurer's role and actions may affect the self-rated health of the disabled worker and the outcomes of occupational rehabilitation. This study diversifies the existing empirical evidence on the role of the insurer in the rehabilitation process and reveals the critical actions that best promote success. Methods Explorative factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), followed by binary regression, were used to analyse survey data of disabled workers (n = 661) who had undergone an occupational rehabilitation within an earnings-related pension insurance system in Finland. Results The claimant's perceptions of the insurer's (1) high-quality informing and guidance, (2) customer orientation, (3) smooth process flow and (4) positive service attitude had substantial and statistically significant effects on the success of occupational rehabilitation after adjusting for all likely confounding variables. Conclusions The insurer's actions are significant predictors of the outcome of occupational rehabilitation. The insurer can promote the health of rehabilitees most effectively by ensuring a smooth process flow and adopting a customer-oriented approach.

Août 2021

Purpose Being on sick leave is a risky situation, with loss of meaningful activities, exclusion from the labour market and losing the worker role. Although the benefits of the person's active involvement in the sick leave process have been emphasized, an increase in sickness absence and longer sick leave periods is still seen, especially among women. Further studies are needed to more deeply understand the person's own view of the situation. Aims/objectives: To explore the experiences of being on sick leave among a group of women. Methods An explorative, qualitative design was used. The analysis was based on individual, semi-structured interviews with 13 women, using qualitative content analysis. Results Three categories emerged that describe the women's experiences of the situation of being on sick leave: being regarded as an object, being supported and being engaged. The categories appeared as either barriers or enablers during the sick leave process. Conclusions The sick leave process could be better understood through multiple dimensions, working at the individual, organizational and societal levels. Using occupation based models underlining the importance of the interaction between person, occupation (work activity) and the environment may contribute to elucidating the complexity in supporting options for the return to work.

Purpose Insomnia is common among people with musculoskeletal and/or mental health disorders. This study aimed to assess whether insomnia is associated with the favorable effect from inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation on future work participation among individuals with these conditions. Methods Insomnia was measured at baseline through a randomized clinical trial that compared the effect of inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation with a less-comprehensive program of outpatient acceptance and commitment therapy on future work participation. The inpatient multimodal program lasted 3.5 weeks at the rehabilitation center, comprising psychoeducational sessions (including sleep education), fixed schedules, acceptance and commitment therapy, physical exercise and work-related problem-solving, whereas the outpatient program comprised mainly six weekly acceptance and commitment therapy sessions. Both programs were group-based. The study tracked cumulative sick leave during the 12 months of follow-up using national registry data. Results Among the 163 adults included in this subgroup analysis, 56% (n=91) reported insomnia. Overall, we found statistical evidence of interaction between the occupational program and insomnia concerning cumulative sick leave (p=0.03). Compared with people without insomnia in the comprehensive inpatient multimodal program, people with insomnia had 12 (95% CI: -48 to 24) fewer days with sick leave if they participated in the inpatient program and 46 (95% CI: 8 to 83) more days if they participated in the outpatient program. Conclusion These findings suggest that insomnia should be addressed specifically before individuals on sick leave are considered for participation in occupational rehabilitation and that individuals with insomnia may benefit in particular from inpatient rehabilitation.

Juillet 2021

Purpose Roughly 10% of occupational injuries result in permanent impairment. After initial return to work (RTW), many workers with permanent impairments face RTW interruption due to reinjury, unstable health, disability, and layoff. This study used open-ended survey data to: (1) explore workplace factors identified by workers as important levers for change, some of which may previously have been unrecognized; and (2) summarize workers' suggestions for workplace improvements to promote sustained RTW and prevent reinjury. Methods This study included data from workers' compensation claims and telephone surveys of 582 Washington State workers who had RTW after a work-related injury involving permanent impairment. The survey was conducted in 2019, about a year after claim closure. We used qualitative content analysis methods to inductively code open-ended survey responses. Results The most frequent themes were: safety precautions/safer workplace (18.1%), adequate staffing/appropriate task distribution (16.2%), and safety climate (14.1%). Other frequent themes included ergonomics, rest breaks, job strain, predictability and flexibility in work scheduling practices, employer response to injury, social support, communication, and respect. Many workers reported that they were not listened to, or that their input was not sought or valued. Workers often linked communication deficiencies to preventable deficiencies in safety practices, safety climate, and RTW practices, and also to lack of respect or distrust. In counterpoint, nearly one-third of respondents reported that no change was needed to their workplace. Conclusions Policies and interventions targeting worker-suggested workplace improvements may promote safe and sustained RTW, which is essential for worker health and economic stability.

Purpose Although it is believed that involving the workplace and stakeholders in return-to-work interventions is beneficial, Norwegian occupational rehabilitation programmes rarely do. During 2015-2016, Hysnes Rehabilitation Centre provided inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation, including workplace meetings with employees, supervisors, and rehabilitation therapists. This study aims to explore the meetings´ content and stakeholders´ experiences. Methods This was a multiple case study including non-participant observation of workplace meetings and interviews with participants. Results Essential features of meetings included revealing and aligning the employee's and supervisor's understandings. Three components seemed instrumental in developing shared understandings leading to appropriate adjustments: 1) disclosing causes of absence, 2) validating difficulties, attitudes, and efforts, and 3) delimiting responsibility. Therapists played a vital role in addressing these components, supporting employees, and ensuring planning of appropriate solutions. Conclusion Developing shared understandings by addressing and aligning illness- and return-to-work representations appears important for return-to-work interventions. Although pivotal to developing appropriate adjustments, disclosure depends upon supervisors' display of understanding and should not be encouraged without knowledge of the employee´s work situation. How supervisors relate to employees and implement adjustments may be as important as the types of adjustments. The therapist's support and validation of employees in vulnerable situations also seem valuable.

Juin 2021

Purpose Comorbidity is common among long-term sick-listed and many prognostic factors for return to work (RTW) are shared across diagnoses. RTW interventions have small effects, possibly due to being averaged across heterogeneous samples. Identifying subgroups based on prognostic RTW factors independent of diagnoses might help stratify interventions. The aim of this study was to identify and describe subgroups of long-term sick-listed workers, independent of diagnoses, based on prognostic factors for RTW. Methods Latent class analysis of 532 workers sick-listed for eight weeks was used to identify subgroups based on seven prognostic RTW factors (self-reported health, anxiety and depressive symptoms, pain, self-efficacy, work ability, RTW expectations) and four covariates (age, gender, education, physical work). Results Four classes were identified: Class 1 (45% of participants) was characterized by favorable scores on the prognostic factors; Class 2 (22%) by high anxiety and depressive symptoms, younger age and higher education; Class 3 (16%) by overall poor scores including high pain levels; Class 4 (17%) by physical work and lack of workplace adjustments. Class 2 included more individuals with a psychological diagnosis, while diagnoses were distributed more proportionate to the sample in the other classes. Conclusion The identified classes illustrate common subgroups of RTW prognosis among long-term sick-listed individuals largely independent of diagnosis. These classes could in the future assist RTW services to provide appropriate type and extent of follow-up, however more research is needed to validate the class structure and examine how these classes predict outcomes and respond to interventions.

Purpose People with multimorbidity face a range of barriers in healthcare, and there is little knowledge about their challenges with regard to return-to-work (RTW). Rehabilitation coordinators, a new function in Swedish healthcare, support people in the RTW process. The present study had two aims: to explore what problems and barriers people with multimorbidity experience during their rehabilitation and RTW process and to explore in which domains the coordinators' support is perceived to be of importance. Methods Interviews were conducted with 12 persons with multimorbidity who had contact with a rehabilitation coordinator during their sickness absence. Thematic analysis was guided by the case-management ecological model; this analysis was revised and adapted to the Swedish context. Results The participants experienced problems in all domains of the model, namely: "the healthcare system", "the labor market and the workplace system", "the sickness insurance system", and "the personal system". Rehabilitation programs that did not accommodate combinations of diseases, social complexities and needs were felt to lead to worse symptoms, thus hindering rather than promoting RTW. An overall finding regarding support by coordinators is that interventions, regardless of domain, were felt to be valuable for people with multimorbidity. The coordinator was perceived to give most support by providing advice about and coordination with healthcare and employers. Sometimes the coordinator gave advice and coordination regarding the Social Insurance Agency, very occasionally the Public Employment Services. The coordinator gave least advice and coordination about social difficulties that hindered rehabilitation and RTW processes. Conclusion People with multimorbidity perceive rehabilitation coordinator interventions as important in all domains investigated. Lack of advice and coordination, or rehabilitation programs that were not modified to the complexities of individual's circumstances, were associated with prolonged sickness absence, worse health, or social risk factors not being recognized.

Purpose This study aimed to understand age differences in wage-replacement duration by focusing on variations in the relationship across different periods of follow-up time. Methods We used administrative claims data provided by six workers' compensation systems in Canada. Included were time-loss claims for workers aged 15-80 years with a work-related injury/illness during the 2011 to 2015 period (N = 751,679 claims). Data were coded for comparability across cohorts. Survival analysis examined age-related differences in the hazard of transitioning off (versus remaining on) disability benefits, allowing for relaxed proportionality constraints on the hazard rates over time. Differences were examined on the absolute (hazard difference) and relative (hazard ratios [HR]) scales. Results Older age groups had a lower likelihood of transitioning off wage-replacement benefits compared to younger age groups in the overall models (e.g., 55-64 vs. 15-24 years: HR 0.62). However, absolute and relative differences in age-specific hazard rates varied as a function of follow-up time. The greatest age-related differences were observed at earlier event times and were attenuated towards a null difference across later follow-up event times. Conclusions Our study provides new insight into the workplace injury/illness claim and recovery processes and suggests that older age is not always strongly associated with worse disability duration outcomes. The use of data from multiple jurisdictions lends external validity to our findings and demonstrates the utility of using cross-jurisdictional data extracts. Future work should examine the social and contextual determinants that operate during various recovery phases, and how these factors interact with age.

Purpose To provide a review of current knowledge about interventions aimed to facilitate young adults to return to work following work-related injuries. Methods A systematic review of published literature from the year 2010 and onwards was conducted to identify studies examining return to work interventions for young adults (aged 19-29) following work-related injuries using PubMed and Web of Science. Two reviewers conducted the screening process and assessed the study quality using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute assessment tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional studies. Due to wide heterogeneity and small number of studies retained post-screening, a descriptive summary analysis of the included studies was conducted. Results No studies were identified that focused exclusively on interventions for young adults. However, two studies, in which an age category of young adults was available, were included and assessed for quality. The study populations were primarily suffering from work-related injuries in the lower back or lower limbs. Both studies revealed that return to work interventions using a case manager coordinating and providing consultation, advice, and risk management to multidisciplinary teams was associated with lower sick leave days. Conclusions Despite the emerging evidence that young adults have higher rates of work-related injuries compared to older colleagues, information concerning work-related injuries and return to work interventions specifically targeting young workers is still lacking. Further research is therefore needed to develop and evaluate return to work interventions for the population of young adults.

Mai 2021

Purpose There is growing awareness that the employer plays an important role in preventing early labor market exit of workers with poor health. This systematic review aims to explore the employer characteristics associated with work participation of workers with disabilities. An interdisciplinary approach was used to capture relevant characteristics at all organizational levels. Methods To identify relevant longitudinal observational studies, a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and EconLit. Three key concepts were central to the search: (a) employer characteristics, (b) work participation, including continued employment, return to work and long-term work disability, and (c) chronic diseases. Results The search strategy resulted in 4456 articles. In total 50 articles met the inclusion criteria. We found 14 determinants clustered in four domains: work accommodations, social support, organizational culture and company characteristics. On supervisor level, strong evidence was found for an association between work accommodations and continued employment and return to work. Moderate evidence was found for an association between social support and return to work. On higher organizational level, weak evidence was found for an association between organizational culture and return to work. Inconsistent evidence was found for an association between company characteristics and the three work outcomes. Conclusions Our review indicates the importance of different employer efforts for work participation of workers with disabilities. Workplace programs aimed at facilitating work accommodations and supervisor support can contribute to the prevention of early labor market exit of workers with poor health. Further research is needed on the influence of organizational culture and company characteristics on work participation.

A Decision Aid to Support Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals Offering Tailored Care to Benefit Recipients with a Long-Term Work Disability: A Feasibility Study.

Work as an arena for health - Supervisors' experiences with attending to employees' sick leave and return-to-work process.

Constructing therapeutic support and negotiating competing agendas: A discourse analysis of vocational advice provided to individuals who are absent from work due to ill-health.

Actions related to workers, employers, and the workplace associated with musculoskeletal and mental health diseases in workers on sick leave: a qualitative systematic review.

Effective Teams in Vocational Rehabilitation: An Exploration of Complexities and Practice in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

"I grabbed my stuff and walked out": Precarious workers' responses and next steps when faced with procedural unfairness during work injury and claims processes.

Discrepancies between workers with disabilities and their supervisors in reported work accommodations and associations with return to work.

L'expérience de retour au travail des personnes vieillissantes ayant subi une atteinte a la sante : un examen de la portée.

Measuring Resilience in Long-term Sick-listed Individuals: Validation of the Resilience Scale for Adults.

Usability of self-reported assessment of work functioning in municipal occupational rehabilitation teams: A qualitative study.

Pilot Trial of Workable: A Therapist-Supported Digital Program for Injured Workers.

Which outcomes should always be measured in intervention studies for improving work participation for people with a health problem? An international multistakeholder Delphi study to develop a core outcome set for Work participation (COS for Work).

Exploring the arena of work disability prevention model for stay at work factors among industrial workers: A scoping review.

Development of the core of an ICF-based instrument for the assessment of work capacity and guidance in return to work of employees on sick leave: a multidisciplinary modified Delphi study.

Prediction Model for Job Retention According to the Type of Return to Work Among Industrially Injured Workers in Korea.

Systemic barriers to reporting work injuries and illnesses in contexts of language barriers.

Sustainable Return to Work for Workers with Mental Health and Musculoskeletal Conditions.

The effects of career development practices on expected retirement age of injured older workers.

Sociodemographic and morbidity characteristics of people on long-term sick leave.

A "Win Win" perspective on workplace accommodations: RETAIN Kentucky's self-advocacy guide to promote successful return to work and stay at work outcomes for workers with disabilities.

Disability Phenotypes and Job Accommodations Utilization Among People with Physical Disability.

Primary Care Physicians' Learning Needs in Returning Ill or Injured Workers to Work. A Scoping Review.

Empowering self-direction in return to work of employees with low and high levels of education: A qualitative comparative study.

An initiative for a more inclusive working life and its effect on return-to-work after sickness absence: a multistate longitudinal cohort study.

Components of primary care multimodal rehabilitation and their association with changes in sick leave: An observational study.

Qualitative study of barriers and facilitators encountered by individuals with physical diseases in returning and continuing to work.

Developing and Implementing ICF-Based Tools for Occupational Rehabilitation Supporting the Communication and Return to Work Process Between Sickness Absentees, Clinical Team and Jobcentre Contacts.

Proposal for an ICF-based methodology to foster the return to work of persons with disability.

A pilot randomized controlled trial on motivational interviewing in return to work after work disability.

A qualitative study into the perspectives of clients on shared decision-making as a method to support return to work.

Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals' Perceptions of Facilitators and Barriers to Return to Work: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Identifying Racial Differences in Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Differences in Modified-Return-to-Work by Immigration Characteristics Among a Cohort of Workers in British Columbia, Canada.

Effectiveness of work-related interventions for return to work in people on sick leave: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Return to work of employees with low levels of education: The employers’ role and perspective.

Return to work following long term sickness absence: a comparative analysis of stakeholders' views and experiences in six European countries.

Eight years of CRASH: A bi-national initiative helping critical care doctors return to work.

Prevalence, types, and combinations of multiple problems among recipients of work disability benefits.

The utility of a safety climate scale among workers with a work-related permanent impairment who have returned to work.

Organisational prerequisites for coordinating the return-to-work process for people with multimorbidity and psychosocial difficulties.

Identity management in the workplace: Coworker perceptions of individuals with contested disabilities.

Graded Work, the Activation of Sick-Listed Workers and Employer Participation in Continental Europe

Return to work: challenges and opportunities for the primary care physician

Ethnocultural Minority Workers and Sustainable Return to Work Following Work Disability: A Qualitative Interpretive Description Study.

Promoting labour market inclusion of the chronically ill: a scoping review of Scandinavian countries' efforts.

The work disability trap: manifestations, causes and consequences of a policy paradox

Returning to clinical work and doctors' personal, social and organisational needs: a systematic review

RETAIN Kentucky: A return-to-work and stay-at-work program for people with disabilities grounded in the conservation of resources theory.

Motivation in the return to work process: a self-determination cluster approach.

Return to work factors and vocational rehabilitation interventions for long-term, partially disabled workers: a modified Delphi study among vocational rehabilitation professionals.

Evaluating effectiveness of an integrated return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation program on work disability duration in the construction sector.

Identifying predictors of return to work and the duration of time off work in first responders affected with musculoskeletal injuries or mental health issues.

Mental health and other factors associated with work productivity after injury in the UK: multicentre cohort study.

Evidence-informed decision about (de-)implementing return-to-work coordination to reduce sick leave: a case study.

A Standpoint Approach to Return-to-Work Coordination: Understanding Union Roles.

Return-to-Work After Work-Related Injury in the Construction Sector: A Scoping Review.

A Framework for Understanding How Variation in Health Care Service Delivery Affects Work Disability Management.

Exploring treatment adherence in long-term sick-listed workers and the impact of coping strategies, illness perceptions and perceived health.

Exploring Employer Perspectives on Their Supportive Role in Accommodating Workers with Disabilities to Promote Sustainable RTW: A Qualitative Study.

Psychosocial barriers and facilitators for a successful return to work following injury within firefighters.

Experiences of vocational rehabilitation and support services for people living with a long term condition: qualitative systematic review.

Exploring Differences in Work Disability Duration by Size of Firm in Canada and Australia.

Language Accommodations in Workers' Compensation: Comparing Ontario and Quebec.

Determining what constitutes an effective psychosocial 'return to work' intervention: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Promoting resilience in work rehabilitation: development of a transdiagnostic intervention.

Exploring Interactions in the Sickness Insurance System in Terms of Power and Trust.

Satisfying medical and rehabilitation needs positively influences returning to work after a work-related injury: an analysis of national panel data from 2018 to 2019.

‘Return to Work’ Coordinator Model and Work Participation of Employees: A Natural Intervention Study in Finland.

Patients' with Multimorbidity and Psychosocial Difficulties and Their Views on Important Professional Competence for Rehabilitation Coordinators in the Return-to-Work Process.

Stay at Work After a Period of Disability Due to an Occupational Injury: A Complex Process Marked by Social Exchanges.

Organisational and relational factors that influence return to work and job retention: The contribution of activity ergonomics.

The nature of positive encounters between disabled workers and insurers in the return to work process.

Comparison of Two Multidisciplinary Occupational Rehabilitation Programs Based on Multimodal Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Self-Rated Health and Work Ability.

How can social insurers promote return to work in occupational rehabilitation? A quantitative, cross-sectional study.

Women's experiences of being in the sick leave process.

Insomnia is Associated with the Effect of Inpatient Multimodal Occupational Rehabilitation on Work Participation in Workers with Musculoskeletal or Mental Health Disorders: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Workplace improvements to support safe and sustained return to work: Suggestions from a survey of workers with permanent impairments.

Aligning stakeholders' understandings of the return-to-work process: a qualitative study on workplace meetings in inpatient multimodal occupational rehabilitation.

Subgroups of Long-Term Sick-Listed Based on Prognostic Return to Work Factors Across Diagnoses: A Cross-Sectional Latent Class Analysis.