Training work supervisors for reintegration of employees treated for musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

Work supervisors (N=58) were given a 1 day training course to aid the reintegration of employees (N=46) treated for musculoskeletal pain with a cognitive-behavioral program of rehabilitation. The effects of the training program were measured at three occasions covering the supervisors’ knowledge about spinal pain and how to reintegrate employees to work. The effect of the training program was also assessed by asking the employees about their perception of supervisor behavior in their integration to work. The results show that the supervisors felt they had acquired a great deal of new knowledge about pain and as well as the reintegration of employees. They reported changes in supervisory behavior, i.e., conducting follow-up meetings, as was emphasized during the course. These improvements were, however, not entirely confirmed by their employees. More than half the employees in a comparison group where supervisors did not participate in the training program, reported follow-up meetings with their supervisors. Follow-up meetings, regardless of group, were associated with more ergonomic changes carried out at the working place, according to the reports from the employees. The reported quality of social support from supervisors was also higher for those employees who had participated in follow-up meetings. Patients who had participated in follow-up meetings also had fewer days on sick leave during the follow-up period. In order to increase the return-to-work rate of employees, training courses of supervisory behavior may need to further emphasize active participation in the rehabilitation process.