Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate the effects of a training program for occupational health professionals (OHPs) on their ability to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers with a chronic disease that may hinder work participation, and on their ability to recommend evidence-based interventions aimed at the identified cognitions and perceptions.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted in which OHPs were randomly assigned to a training program on the cognitions and perceptions of workers with a chronic disease (n = 29) or to a control group that did not receive training (n = 30). Participants received home assignments in which they had to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers in video vignettes and had to indicate which interventions they would recommend to foster work participation. A generalized linear model repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to study the effects of the training program.ResultsThe results of the analyses showed an increase in the ability to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers of OHPs who received the training compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The results also showed an increased ability to recommend evidence-based interventions aimed at these cognitions and perceptions (p < 0.001) as a result of participation in the training.ConclusionThe training program helps OHPs to identify cognitions and perceptions and to recommend evidence-based interventions. This can support them in their activities to increase the work participation of workers with a chronic disease.
Highlights
It is expected that the prevalence of chronic diseases, here defined as diseases with a long duration and slow progression, in adults of working age will increase because of the aging world population and an increase in the state pension age in different countries (De Vroome et al 2015; World Health Organisation 2021)
Fearavoidance beliefs have a negative effect on return to work (RTW) after sick leave, while positive expectations regarding RTW have a positive effect on work participation (Trinderup et al 2018; Opsahl et al 2016)
One participant in the control group did not participate in the training, but because this had no effect on the scores on both of his home assignments, he was not excluded from the PP analyses
Summary
It is expected that the prevalence of chronic diseases, here defined as diseases with a long duration and slow progression, in adults of working age will increase because of the aging world population and an increase in the state pension age in different countries (De Vroome et al 2015; World Health Organisation 2021). Having a chronic disease has a negative effect on work participation (De Vroome et al 2015; Scharn et al 2019). Occupational health professionals (OHPs)—namely health professionals who make decisions about work participation or workers receiving benefits—should focus on factors that influence work participation. Workers’ cognitions and perceptions are factors that can influence their work participation (De Wit et al 2018; Besen et al 2015).
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