Occupational disorders and return to work: a randomized controlled study

Goal setting and motivational factors are strongly associated with maintaining a job and return to work after sick leave, but research into the effects of interventions targeting these factors is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled study to examine the vocational effect of intervention foc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2005-07, Vol.37 (4), p.230-235
Main Authors: Bonde, Jens Peter, Rasmussen, Mette Skou, Hjøllund, Henrik, Svendsen, Susanne Wulf, Kolstad, Henrik A, Jensen, Lone Donbaek, Wieclaw, Joanna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Female
Goal setting
Guidelines as Topic
Humans
Interventions
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation
Occupational diseases
Occupational Diseases - psychology
Occupational Diseases - rehabilitation
Planning
Rehabilitation, Vocational
Return to work
Risk Factors
Sick Leave
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Goal setting and motivational factors are strongly associated with maintaining a job and return to work after sick leave, but research into the effects of interventions targeting these factors is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled study to examine the vocational effect of intervention focusing on motivation, goal setting and planning for return to work. Of 243 patients at risk of long-term sick leave or job dropout, 184 (76%) provided complete baseline information for the study. After randomization to an intervention group (n=92) and a reference group (n=92), occupational physicians examined the participants in accordance with standard guidelines. The intervention group received additional support from a social worker in order to enhance goal setting, motivation and planning for return to work. After 1 year 163 participants (89%) provided data on general health and employment status. The risk of not being gainfully employed was analysed by logistic regression analysis with adjustment for several covariates. The intervention did not increase the likelihood of gainful employment after 1 year or reduce the average number of days of sick leave. A low-cost counselling program addressing motivation, goal setting and planning for return to work did not improve vocational outcomes or reduce sick leave among patients with work-related disorders.
ISSN:1650-1977
DOI:10.1080/16501970410025487