Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, mental health problems and mental workload have been increasingly related to long-term sick leave and disability. However, there is, as yet, no structured protocol available for the identification and application of an intervention for stress-related mental health problems at the workplace. This paper describes the structured development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders (SMDs). The intervention is based on an existing successful return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with low back pain.
METHODS: The principles of Intervention Mapping were applied to combine theory and evidence in the development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a participatory workplace intervention, aimed at an early return-to-work for sick-listed employees with SMDs. All stakeholders were involved in focus group interviews: i.e. employees recently sick-listed with SMDs, supervisors and occupational health professionals.
RESULTS: The development of the participatory workplace intervention according to the Intervention Mapping principles resulted in a structured return-to-work intervention, specifically tailored to the needs of sick-listed employees with SMDs. Return-to-work was proposed as a behavioural change, and the Attitude - Social influence - self-Efficacy model was identified as a theoretical framework. Stakeholder involvement in focus group interviews served to enhance the implementation. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.
CONCLUSION: Intervention Mapping was found to be a promising method to develop interventions tailored to a specific target group in the field of occupational health.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 127 |
Journal | BMC Health Services Research |
Volume | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Aug 2007 |
Keywords
- Clinical Protocols
- Cooperative Behavior
- Focus Groups
- Guidelines as Topic
- Health Services Research
- Humans
- Interviews as Topic
- Mental Disorders/etiology
- Netherlands
- Occupational Health Services/organization & administration
- Organizational Innovation
- Patient Care Planning
- Program Development
- Program Evaluation
- Self Efficacy
- Sick Leave/statistics & numerical data
- Stress, Psychological/complications
- Workplace/psychology