The return-to-work journey: experiences with communication and collaboration among employees and employers during long-term sick leave and return-to-work.

Purpose: To explore the experiences of long-term sick-listed employees and those of employers with communication and collaboration during sick leave and the return-to-work (RTW) process.

Methods: Previously long-term sick-listed employees ( = 9) and employers ( = 9) were interviewed about their experiences with communication and collaboration during sick leave and RTW. Thematic analysis, utilizing patient journey mapping was applied to analyze and map out their experiences.

Risk Perceptions of Health Care Workers and Occupational Health Experts on Psychological Distress: A Qualitative Mental Model Study.

Background: The objectives of this study are to explore healthcare workers' (HCWs') mental models regarding psychological distress and to compare these with that of experts.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted (n = 28 HCWs, n = 13 experts). The topic list encompassed risk perception, early stress symptoms, causes, consequences, and preventive measures of psychological distress.

The SME tool supporting employers of small- and medium-sized enterprises during the return to work of employees on long-term sick leave: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and for a process evaluation.

Background: Returning to work after long-term sick leave can be challenging, particularly in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where support may be limited. Recognizing the responsibilities and challenges of SME employers, a web-based intervention (hereafter the SME tool) has been developed. The SME tool aims to enhance the employer's intention and ability to support the sick-listed employee.

Including 'Work as a Treatment Goal' in the Care for Patients with Chronic Diseases : The Development of a Generic Care Model-A Descriptive Study.

Background: The Netherlands faces 60% prevalence of chronic conditions by 2040, impacting societal participation and quality of life. Current clinical care inadequately addresses these consequences, and most hospitals do not integrate occupational health in their care.

Objectives: To develop a generic person- and work-oriented medical care model (WMCM) based on real life experiences with work-oriented care and supporting the chronically ill in active societal participation.

Don't be late! Postponing cognitive decline and preventing early unemployment in people with multiple sclerosis: a study protocol.

Background: Up to 65% of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) develop cognitive deficits, which hampers their ability to work, participating in day-to-day life and ultimately reducing quality of life (QoL). Early cognitive symptoms are often less tangible to PwMS and their direct environment and are noticed only when symptoms and work functioning problems become more advanced, i.e.

Don't be late! Timely identification of cognitive impairment in people with multiple sclerosis: a study protocol.

Background: Cognitive impairment occurs in up to 65% of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), negatively affecting daily functioning and health-related quality of life. In general, neuropsychological testing is not part of standard MS-care due to insufficient time and trained personnel. Consequently, a baseline assessment of cognitive functioning is often lacking, hampering early identification of cognitive decline and change within a person over time.

Exploring the potential of stratum corneum biomarkers for assessing psychological distress in health care workers: An observational pilot study.

Backgrounds: The detection of biomarkers of a stress response in the stratum corneum (SC) could be used as objective assessment of early stress symptoms and monitoring of stress reduction interventions in health care workers (HCWs).

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore SC biomarkers of immune and hormonal response and skin barrier for assessment of psychological distress (PD) in HCWs.

Methods: Twenty-five female HCWs and 25 non-HCWs participated.

Predictors of time until return to work and duration of sickness absence in sick-listed precarious workers with common mental disorders: a secondary data-analysis of two trials and one cohort study.

Background: Common mental disorders (CMD) are highly prevalent among sick-listed precarious workers and often lead to long-term sickness-absence, work disability and unemployment. This study aimed to identify predictors of a longer time until return to work (RTW) and prolonged duration of sickness absence in sick-listed precarious workers with CMD.

Methods: We conducted a secondary Cox regression analysis using existing data from two Dutch randomized controlled trials and one cohort study among sick-listed precarious workers with CMD (N = 681).

Designing an evidence-based working method for medical work disability prognosis evaluation-an intervention mapping approach.

Purpose: Performing evidence-based work disability prognosis evaluation (WDPE) of clients on sick leave is a difficult task for physicians. The aim was to develop a working method to support physicians in performing evidence-based WDPE and to improve WDPE quality.

Materials And Methods: Intervention Mapping (IM) supplemented with elements of the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) guided project planning for developing the working method.

Predictors for work participation of people with visual impairments: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess factors associated with work participation in people with visual impairments and to explore how these factors may have changed over time.

Method: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase.com, EBSCO/APA PsycInfo, EBSCO/CINAHL and EBSCO/ERIC from database inception to 1 April 2022 was performed.

Personalised electronic health programme for recovery after major abdominal surgery: a multicentre, single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Despite the adoption of minimally invasive techniques, recovery after abdominal surgery takes a long time. Electronic health (eHealth) modalities can provide guidance to patients, facilitating early return to normal activities. We aimed to assess the impact of a personalised eHealth programme on patients' return to normal activities after major abdominal surgery.

Patients' Experiences, Needs, and Expectations of Cooperation Between Medical Specialists and Occupational Health Physicians: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: Cooperation between clinical and occupational health care practitioners is a key aspect of clinical work-integrating care. This study aimed to gain insight into patients' experiences, needs, and expectations regarding cooperation between medical specialists and occupational health physicians.

Methods: A thematic qualitative study was conducted involving a total of 33 participants in eight online focus groups.

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.

Background: 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.

[New paths to interprofessional collaboration: collaboration between assistant practitioners and practice nurses in general and occupational health care].

To this date, there is little to no interprofessional collaboration between professionals in general and occupational health care in the Netherlands. Where earlier initiatives for improvement focused on general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs), we examine the role that professionals working under task delegation of GPs and OPs can play in addressing problems on multiple life domains as well as in interprofessional collaboration. We conducted three focus group interviews with 7 assistant practitioners (APs) in general practice, 11 practice nurses (PNs) in general practice and 8 APs in occupational health practice.

Process evaluation of the 'Grip on Health' intervention in general and occupational health practice.

Background: For working patients with a lower socioeconomic position, health complaints often result from a combination of problems on multiple life domains. To prevent long-term health complaints and absence from work, it is crucial for general and occupational health professionals to adopt a broad perspective on health and to collaborate when necessary. This study aimed to evaluate how the 'Grip on Health' intervention is implemented in general and occupational health practice to address multi-domain problems and to promote interprofessional collaboration.

Predicting long-term sickness absence among retail workers after four days of sick-listing.

Objective: This study tested and validated an existing tool for its ability to predict the risk of long-term (ie, ≥6 weeks) sickness absence (LTSA) after four days of sick-listing.

Methods: A 9-item tool is completed online on the fourth day of sick-listing. The tool was tested in a sample (N=13 597) of food retail workers who reported sick between March and May 2017.

Evaluation of an implementation strategy for Individual Placement and Support in the Netherlands: a 30-month observational study.

Background: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based, effective approach to help people with severe mental illness (SMI) obtain and maintain competitive employment. The aim of the present study was to examine employment outcomes and associations with an organizational and a financial factor in people with SMI who participated in Individual Placement and Support using a multifaceted implementation strategy (IPS + MIS). The goal of this strategy was to improve IPS implementation by enhancing collaboration among mental health care and vocational rehabilitation stakeholders, and realizing secured IPS funding.

Participatory Approach to Create a Supportive Work Environment for Employees With Chronic Conditions: A Pilot Implementation Study.

Objective: To evaluate a pilot implementation of an organizational-level intervention. The participatory approach (PA) was used to create a supportive work environment for employees with chronic conditions, with a key role for occupational physicians (OPs).

Methods: Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with OPs and stakeholders within their organizations.

Risk communication about work-related stress disorders in healthcare workers: a scoping review.

Purposes: Healthcare workers are at risk of stress-related disorders. Risk communication can be an effective preventive health measure for some health risks, but is not yet common in the prevention of stress-related disorders in an occupational healthcare setting. The overall aim is to examine whether risk communication was part of interventions aimed at the prevention of stress-related disorders in healthcare workers.

The perceived importance of prognostic aspects considered by physicians during work disability evaluation: a survey.

Background: Assessing prognosis is challenging for many physicians in various medical fields. Research shows that physicians who perform disability assessments consider six areas when evaluating a prognosis: disease, treatment, course of the disease, external information, patient-related and physician-related aspects. We administered a questionnaire to evaluate how physicians rate the importance of these six prognosis areas during work disability evaluation and to explore what kind of support they would like during prognosis assessment.

Trajectories of sickness absence and disability pension days among people with multiple sclerosis by type of occupation.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact working life, sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). Different types of occupations involve different demands, which may be associated with trajectories of SA/DP among people with MS (PwMS).

Objectives: To explore, among PwMS and references, if SA/DP differ according to type of occupation.

Professionals' and Students' Perceived Needs for an Online Supportive Application for Reducing School Absence and Stimulating Reintegration: Concept Mapping Study.

Background: To limit students' medical absenteeism and premature school dropout in the Netherlands, the Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students (MASS) intervention was developed to enhance collaboration between students, parents, school, and health care professionals. MASS reduces medical absenteeism. However, it does not yet optimally support professionals in monitoring students nor automatically stimulating students' autonomy regarding their situation.

Experiences with Individual Placement and Support and employment - a qualitative study among clients and employment specialists.

Background: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based, effective approach to help people with severe mental illness (SMI) achieve competitive employment. The aim of the present study is to explore experiences with Individual Placement and Support using a multifaceted implementation strategy (IPS + MIS), and competitive employment. The goal of this strategy was to improve IPS implementation by enhancing collaboration between mental health care and vocational rehabilitation stakeholders, and realizing a secured IPS funding with a 'pay for performance' element.