What Facilitates Return to Work? Patients Experiences 3 Years After Occupational Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective We have limited knowledge about the specific elements in an occupational rehabilitation programme that facilitate the process leading to return to work (RTW) as perceived by the patients. The aim of the study was to explore individual experiences regarding contributing factors to a successful RTW, 3 years after a resident occupational rehabilitation programme. Methods The study is based on interviews of 20 individuals who attended an occupational rehabilitation programme 3 years earlier. Ten informants had returned to work (RTW) and ten were receiving disability pension (DP). Data were analysed by systematic text condensation inspired by Giorgi’s phenomenological analysis. Results The core categories describing a successful RTW process included positive encounters, increased self-understanding and support from the surroundings. While the informants on DP emphasized being seen, heard and taken seriously by the professionals, the RTW group highlighted being challenged to increase self-understanding that promoted new acting in every-day life. Being challenged on self-understanding implied increased awareness of own identity, values and resources. Support from the surroundings included support from peer participants, employer and social welfare system. Conclusion Successful RTW processes seem to comprise positive encounters, opportunities for increased self-understanding and support from significant others. An explicit focus on topics like identity, own values and resources might improve the outcome of the rehabilitation process.

Evaluation of Self-Reported Work Ability and Usefulness of Interventions Among Sick-Listed Patients

“…This cause of sick leave may be improved if work-related interventions are addressed to the problems causing the sick-leave spell. We also found that rehabilitation support from the workplace, including support from the employer, workmates and other stakeholders, which is found to be important in the process of returning to work (20,21), was given to a higher degree for patients with MD compared with patients with MSD.…”

“…The importance of providing work-related interventions and adaptation of work for sick-listed From a patient perspective, it appears that support and adjustment at the workplace is a facilitating prerequisite for RTW (19)(20)(21), and specific goals for each patient can benefit the RTW process (18,30,32). We found that adjustments to work tasks or the work environment were the most prevalent interventions at the workplace for both diagnostic groups.…”

“…There is some evidence that collaboration between the sick-listed patient, health care providers and the employer favours the rehabilitation process (10,(16)(17)(18). Patients consider their contact with the health care provider as an important part of their rehabilitation that affects recovery and return to work (RTW) (17,(19)(20)(21)(22).…”

“…There is increasing interest in learning from patients' experiences of the rehabilitation process in order to improve the quality of health care, rehabilitation services, and interventions aimed at enhancing RTW (20,(22)(23)(24). In Sweden, this interest was emphasized when the government introduced reforms in 2008 in the national sickness insurance system (the rehabilitation chain), focusing on early assessments of work ability, right to benefits and the use of evidence-based methods for RTW.…”

Received and needed social support in relation to sociodemographic and socio‐economic factors in a population of people on sick leave due to heart failure

“…Social support can facilitate sick listed peoples' return‐to‐work processes 10, 11. However, different actions from different sources can be perceived as more or less supportive considering the circumstances 12.…”