Training on involving cognitions and perceptions in the occupational health management and work disability assessment of workers: development and evaluation

Abstract

Background In order to improve work participation of workers with a chronic disease, it is important for occupational health professionals (OHPs) to focus on those factors that can influence work participation. Cognitions and perceptions, such as recovery expectations and self-efficacy, are examples of these factors that can influence work participation. However, no training program is available for OHPs on how to involve cognitions and perceptions during their practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a training program for OHPs on how to involve cognitions and perceptions in the occupational health management and work disability assessment of workers with a chronic disease. In addition, to evaluate the OHPs’ satisfaction with the training and the feasibility of the training and learned skills. Methods The training program was developed using information from previously conducted studies regarding cognitions and perceptions in relation to work participation. Satisfaction with the training by OHPs was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. A smaller group of OHPs were interviewed three to six months after the training to evaluate the feasibility of the training and learned skills. Results The 4.5-h training program consisted of four parts concerning: 1) cognitions and perceptions associated with work participation, 2) how to obtain information on them, 3) the course of the conversation on these factors, and 4) intervening on these factors. Eight training sessions were conducted with 57 OHPs, of whom 54 evaluated the training. Participants were very satisfied (score 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10). The eleven interviewed participants were more aware of cognitions and perceptions during consultations and perceived the training to be feasible. However, not all participants had applied the acquired skills in their practice, partially because of a lack of time. Conclusions OHPs are very satisfied with the training program and perceive it to be feasible. The training increases awareness of important cognitions and perceptions and may possibly help to increase work participation of workers with a chronic disease.

Improving person-centered occupational health care for workers with chronic health conditions: a feasibility study

“…The research program consists of three research projects which were conducted in parallel to improve the supporting role of OPs and IPs in occupational health care for workers with chronic health conditions. As aforementioned, the topics covered in the training programs and e-learning training were respectively: creating a supportive work environment to enhance self-control of workers [20], involving cognitions and perceptions of workers in guidance and assessment [21], and involving significant others in the re-integration process [22]. More information on the content of the training programs, e-learning training and accompanying tools can be found in Table 1.…”

“…With regard to the training on involving workers' cognitions and perceptions in guidance and assessment, the effect of the training program on the ability of OPs and IPs to identify workers' cognitions and perceptions to recommend evidence-based interventions to address at limiting cognitions and perceptions of workers was studied in a randomized controlled trial [29]. In addition, the satisfaction with the training program was evaluated by means of a questionnaire and some feasibility aspects were evaluated during interviews [21]. With regard to the e-learning training on involving significant others in the re-integration process, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy for improving OPs' and IPs' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy to involve significant others in the return-to-work process.…”

“…To gain insight into these focus areas, individual interviews were held from two perspectives: (1) an educational perspective to gain insight into implementation strategies for uptake of the training and e-learning training in existing educational structures and (2) a professional perspective [20][21][22]. For the educational perspective, representatives from different educational institutions involved medical educational training for OPs and IPs were interviewed (N = 5), including resident trainers from the specialized institutions (Netherlands School of Public & Occupational Health and the social medicine education department of the Radboud university medical center) and the Dutch Social Security Agency.…”

“…For the professional perspective, a total of N = 24 semistructured interviews were conducted. Participants were N = 18 OPs and N = 6 IPs who participated in the previous evaluation studies [20][21][22] (see Table 4). In total N = 13 males participated and N = 11 females.…”

“…Attention is growing towards enhancing self-control of workers with chronic conditions, understanding workers' cognitions and perceptions regarding living with a chronic disease and work functioning, and involving significant others in supporting work participation [17][18][19]. In order to support the changing role of OPs and IPs to deliver more person-centered guidance and assessment, training programs and an e-learning training with accompanying tools have been developed [20][21][22]. The goal of the developed training programs and e-learning training with accompanying tools is to (1) increase self-control of workers with a chronic health condition by helping OPs to create a supportive work environment [20], (2) increase the ability of OPs and IPs to involve cognitions and perceptions in the guidance and assessment of workers [21], and (3) support OPs and IPs to involve significant others in the re-integration process [22].…”