| 1. |
- Svanholm, Frida, et al.
(author)
-
Acceptability of the eHealth Intervention Sustainable Worker Digital Support for Persons With Chronic Pain and Their Employers (SWEPPE): Questionnaire and Interview Study
- 2023
-
In: JMIR Human Factors. - : JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC. - 2292-9495. ; 10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sick leave and decreased ability to work are the consequences of chronic pain. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) aim to improve health-related quality of life and participation in work activities, although implementing rehabilitation strategies at work after IPRPs can be difficult. Employers knowledge about pain and the role of rehabilitation needs to be strengthened. The self-management of chronic pain can be improved through eHealth interventions. However, these interventions do not involve communicating with employers to improve work participation. To address this deficiency, a new eHealth intervention, Sustainable Worker Digital Support for Persons with Chronic Pain and Their Employers (SWEPPE), was developed.Objective: This study aimed to describe the acceptability of SWEPPE after IPRPs from the perspective of patients with chronic pain and their employers.Methods: This study included 11 patients and 4 employers who were recruited to test SWEPPE in daily life for 3 months after IPRPs. Data were collected using individual interviews at the end of the 3-month test period and questionnaires, which were completed when SWEPPE was introduced (questionnaire 1) and at a 3-month follow-up (questionnaire 2). Data were also collected on how often SWEPPE was used. Qualitative data were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis using an abductive approach. The framework used for the deductive approach was the theoretical framework of acceptability. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and the differences between the responses to questionnaires 1 and questionnaire 2 using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: Both patients and employers reported that SWEPPE increased their knowledge and understanding of how to improve work participation and helped them identify goals, barriers, and strategies for return to work. In addition, participants noted that SWEPPE improved employer-employee communication and collaboration. However, experiences and ratings varied among participants and the different SWEPPE modules. The acceptability of SWEPPE was lower in patients who experienced significant pain and fatigue. A high degree of flexibility and choice of ratings in SWEPPE were generally described as helpful. Conclusions: This study shows promising results on the user acceptability of SWEPPE from both patient and employer perspectives. However, the variations among patients and modules indicate a need for further testing and research to refine the content and identify the group of patients who will best benefit from SWEPPE.
|
|
| 2. |
- Svanholm, Frida, 1979-
(author)
-
Work Interventions in the Context of Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation
- 2023
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Chronic pain often leads to difficulties performing daily life and work activities. Sick-leave rates are high and work activities are valued both by people in general and patients with chronic pain. Therefore, it is important to find efficient ways to support patients to stay at work and return to work. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRP) aim to improve work participation for patients with chronic pain. However, results are diverging and it is unclear to what extent work interventions are part of IPRP. The overall aim with this thesis was to study work interventions in the context of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation and identify how it can be improved to better support patients with chronic pain in their return to work (RTW) rehabilitation process. Participants were included from IPRPs at both primary and specialist care level in Sweden. Data were collected from focus groups, pair- and individual interviews, questionnaires, and the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation. This thesis highlight four important factors to consider when planning and performing work interventions in the context of IPRP: Knowledge and understanding of patients and stakeholders, A RTW rehabilitation plan being anchored between stakeholders Tailored solutions in relation to patient’s needs Collaboration, coordination, and continuity during the RTW rehabilitation process. Knowledge and understanding are important as base for solid, concrete, and tailored RTW plans, and for increasing self-efficacy and empowerment of the patients. The RTW plan is a common and important work intervention within IPRP in Sweden. RTW plans need to be more concrete, and include tailored strategies and interventions aimed at the needs of patients. Tailoring interventions also need to consider employment status. In addition, RTW rehabilitation plans should be tightly anchored with stakeholders and followed-up continually during the RTW rehabilitation process. The context of IPRP has potential that should be taken care of, for example when improving knowledge transfer and collaboration. SWEPPE, a new e-health intervention designed to support patients with chronic pain and their employers includes the four factors described above and should be acceptable for users after they complete an IPRP, however, further development of content and identification of patients that best benefit from SWEPPE are needed.
|
|
| 3. |
- Svanholm, Frida, et al.
(author)
-
Work Interventions Within Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Programs (IPRP) - Frequency, Patient Characteristics, and Association with Self-Rated Work Ability
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Pain Research. - : DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD. - 1178-7090. ; 16, s. 421-436
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) help people with chronic pain improve their health and manage their work; however, the way IPRPs address sick leave could be improved. Although work interventions can be a part of IPRP, it is not well known how and to what extent.Aim: This study explores the frequency of work interventions and the characteristics of patients who participate in work interventions as part of IPRP at specialist pain rehabilitation departments in Sweden. In addition, this study explores the association between participation in work interventions and change in patients self-rated work ability after IPRP.Methods: Data from the Swedish quality registry for pain rehabilitation (SQRP), which includes 3809 patients between 2016 and 2018, were analysed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses.Results: The results indicate a high participation rate in work interventions (90%). Some differences were evident concerning characteristics of patients who participated in different work interventions. The return-to-work (RTW) plan, the most frequently used work intervention, had the strongest association with change in self-rated work ability after IPRP. However, the effect sizes were small, and the initial score best explained the change. Furthermore, there were differences between employed and unemployed patients and employment had a positive association with change in self-rated work ability.Conclusion: More research is needed to understand IPRPs mechanisms and work interventions to support patients with chronic pain, reduce sick leave, and manage work. Employment status needs to be considered and interventions should be tailored to match the individual needs.
|
|
| 4. |
- Svärd, Veronica, et al.
(author)
-
Coordinators in the return-to-work process : Mapping their work models
- 2023
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 18:8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeIn recent decades, many countries have implemented return-to-work coordinators to combat high rates of sickness absence and insufficient collaboration in the return-to-work process. The coordinators should improve communication and collaboration between stakeholders in the return-to-work process for people on sickness absence. How they perform their daily work remains unexplored, and we know little about to what extent they collaborate and perform other work tasks to support people on sickness absence. This study examines which work models return-to-work coordinators use in primary healthcare, psychiatry and orthopaedics in Sweden.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to all 82 coordinators in one region (89% response rate) with questions about the selection of patients, individual patient support, healthcare collaboration, and external collaboration. Random forest classification analysis was used to identify the models.ResultsThree work models were identified. In model A, coordinators were more likely to select certain groups of patients, spend more time in telephone than in face-to-face meetings, and collaborate fairly much. In Model B there was less patient selection and much collaboration and face-to-face meetings. Model C involved little patient selection, much telephone contact and very little collaboration. Model A was more common in primary healthcare, model C in orthopaedics, while model B was distributed equally between primary healthcare and psychiatry.ConclusionThe work models correspond differently to the coordinator’s assignments of supporting patients and collaborating with healthcare and other stakeholders. The differences lie in how much they actively select patients, how much they collaborate, and with whom. Their different distribution across clinical contexts indicates that organisational demands influence how work models evolve in practice.
|
|
