Effects of Workplace Intervention in Occupational Rehabilitation on Return to Work

Long-term sick-listing from work has considerable impact on social function, on the families of the sick-listed persons, the companies they work for, and society as a whole. Hence, the need for documented effective vocational rehabilitation programs is pressing. Vocational rehabilitation services described in the scientific literature have been specific to one single or a specific group of medical conditions (e.g.low back pain). In contrast, most people on sick leave have several health complaints, and many of the factors influencing sick leave are shared regardless of disorder (e.g. social surroundings, workplace environment), calling for rehabilitation programs that can be employed for both musculoskeletal, unspecific and common mental disorders. Research indicates that interventions on the work place might facilitate return to work. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the effect of a work place intervention during a multicomponent return-to-work rehabilitation program on return-to-work.

Inclusion criteria

• Resident of Central Norway
• Sick-listed due to common mental disorders, musculoskeletal pain/problems, unspecific disorders and/or fatigue
• Sick-listed more than 50 %
• Sick-listed longer than 8 weeks
• Has employer and is willing to participate in a work place intervention during the rehabilitation program

Exclusion criteria

• is self-employed
• has, or is currently examined for, a serious somatic or psychiatric disorder
• suffers from substance abuse
• has trouble with participating in a group
• is in a rehabilitation process that will interfere with the occupational rehabilitation program
• function level is to weak to participate in the rehabilitation program