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Shaw E, Nunns M, Spicer SG, Lawal H, Briscoe S, Melendez‐Torres GJ, Garside R, Liabo K, Coon JT. What is the volume, quality and characteristics of evidence relating to the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of multi-disciplinary occupational health interventions aiming to improve work-related outcomes for employed adults? An evidence and gap map of systematic reviews. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2024; 20:e1412. [PMID: 38751859 PMCID: PMC11094349 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Background In the UK, tens of millions of working days are lost due to work-related ill health every year, costing billions of pounds. The role of Occupational Health (OH) services is vital in helping workers to maintain employment when they encounter injury or illness. OH providers traditionally rely on a clinical workforce to deliver these services, particularly doctors and nurses with OH qualifications. However, the increasing demand for OH services is unlikely to be met in the future using this traditional model, due to the declining number of OH-trained doctors and nurses in the UK. Multi-disciplinary models of OH delivery, including a more varied range of healthcare and non-healthcare professionals, could provide a way to meet this new demand for OH services. There is a need to identify collaborative models of OH service delivery and review their effectiveness on return-to work outcomes. There is an existing pool of systematic review evidence evaluating workplace based, multi-disciplinary OH interventions, but it is difficult to identify which aspects of the content and/or delivery of these interventions may be associated with improved work-related outcomes. Objectives The aim of this evidence and gap map (EGM) was to provide an overview of the systematic review evidence that evaluates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of multi-disciplinary OH interventions intending to improve work-related outcomes. Search Methods In June 2021 we searched a selection of bibliographic databases and other academic literature resources covering a range of relevant disciplines, including health care and business studies, to identify systematic review evidence from a variety of sectors of employment. We also searched Google Search and a selection of topically relevant websites and consulted with stakeholders to identify reports already known to them. Searches were updated in February 2023. Selection Criteria Systematic reviews needed to be about adults (16 years or over) in employment, who have had absence from work for any medical reason. Interventions needed to be multi-disciplinary (including professionals from different backgrounds in clinical and non-clinical professions) and designed to support employees and employers to manage health conditions in the workplace and/or to help employees with health conditions retain and/or return to work following medical absence. Effectiveness needed to be measured in terms of return to work, work retention or measures of absence, or economic evaluation outcomes. These criteria were applied to the title and abstract and full text of each systematic review independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through discussion. We awarded each systematic review a rating of 'High', 'Medium' or 'Low' relevance to indicate the extent to which the populations, interventions and their contexts synthesised within the review were consistent with our research question. We also recorded the number of primary studies included within each of the 'High' and 'Medium' reviews that were relevant to research question using the same screening process applied at review level. Data Collection and Analysis Summary data for each eligible review was extracted. The quality of the systematic reviews, rated as 'High' or 'Medium' relevance following full text screening, was appraised using the AMSTAR-2 quality appraisal tool. All data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second, with disagreements being settled through discussion. Summary data for all eligible systematic reviews were tabulated and described narratively. The data extracted from reviews of 'High' and 'Medium' relevance was imported into EPPI-Mapper software to create an EGM. Stakeholder Involvement We worked alongside commissioners and policy makers from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), OH personnel, and people with lived experience of accessing OH services themselves and/or supporting employees to access OH services. Individuals contributed to decision making at all stages of the project. This ensured our EGM reflects the needs of individuals who will use it. Main Results We identified 98 systematic reviews that contained relevant interventions, which involved a variety of professionals and workplaces, and which measured effectiveness in terms of return to work (RTW). Of these, we focused on the 30 reviews where the population and intervention characteristics within the systematic reviews were considered to be of high or medium relevance to our research questions. The 30 reviews were of varying quality, split evenly between High/Moderate quality and Low/Critically-Low quality ratings. We did not identify any relevant systematic review evidence on any other work-related outcome of interest. Interventions were heterogenous, both within and across included systematic reviews. The EGM is structured according to the health condition experienced by participants, and the effectiveness of the interventions being evaluated, as reported within the included systematic reviews. It is possible to view (i) the quality and quantity of systematic review evidence for a given health condition, (ii) how review authors assessed the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of the interventions evaluated. The EGM also details the primary studies relevant to our research aim included within each review. Authors’ Conclusions This EGM map highlights the array of systematic review evidence that exists in relation to the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of multi-disciplinary, workplace-based OH interventions in supporting RTW. This evidence will allow policy makers and commissioners of services to determine which OH interventions may be most useful for supporting different population groups in different contexts. OH professionals may find the content of the EGM useful in identifying systematic review evidence to support their practice. The EGM also identifies where systematic review evidence in this area is lacking, or where existing evidence is of poor quality. These may represent areas where it may be particularly useful to conduct further systematic reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Shaw
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Michael Nunns
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Stuart G. Spicer
- NIHR Applied Research CollaborationUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | - Hassanat Lawal
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Simon Briscoe
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - G. J. Melendez‐Torres
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Ruth Garside
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Kristin Liabo
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Jo Thompson Coon
- Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
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Brinsley J, Singh B, Maher CA. A Digital Lifestyle Program for Psychological Distress, Wellbeing and Return-to-Work: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2023; 104:1903-1912. [PMID: 37209933 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To demonstrate proof-of-concept for a chatbot-led digital lifestyle medicine program in aiding rehabilitation for return-to-work. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study with pre-post measures. SETTING Community setting, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 78 adult participants (mean age 46 years, 32% female) with an active workers' compensation claim (N=78). INTERVENTIONS A 6-week digital lifestyle medicine program led by an artificially intelligent virtual health coach and weekly telehealth calls with a health coach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adherence (% program completions) and engagement (% of daily and weekly sessions completed), changes in depression, anxiety and distress (K10), psychological wellbeing (WHO-5), return-to-work confidence and anxiety and change in work status. RESULTS Sixty participants completed the program (72%), with improvements in psychological distress (P≤.001, r=.47), depression (P<.001, r=.55), anxiety (P<.001, r=.46) and wellbeing (P<.001, r=.62) were noted, as well as increased confidence about returning to work (P≤.001, r=.51) and improved work status (P≤.001). Anxiety about returning to work remained unchanged. Participants completed an average of 73% of daily virtual coach sessions and 95% of telehealth coaching sessions. CONCLUSIONS Artificial intelligence technology may be able to provide a practical, supportive, and low-cost intervention to improve psychosocial outcomes among individuals on an active workers' compensation claim. Further, controlled research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Brinsley
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Ben Singh
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Carol A Maher
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Aasdahl L, Standal MI, Hagen R, Solbjør M, Bagøien G, Fossen H, Foldal VS, Bjørngaard JH, Rysstad T, Grotle M, Johnsen R, Fors EA. Effectiveness of 'motivational interviewing' on sick leave: a randomized controlled trial in a social insurance setting. Scand J Work Environ Health 2023; 49:477-486. [PMID: 37634251 PMCID: PMC10834143 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) - a counselling approach offered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV) - on return to work (RTW) for individuals sick-listed for ≥8 weeks due to any diagnoses. MI was compared to usual case management and an active control during 12 months of follow-up. METHODS In a randomized clinical trial with three parallel arms, participants were randomized to MI (N=257), usual case management (N=266), or an active control group (N=252). MI consisted of two MI sessions while the active control involved two sessions without MI, both were offered in addition to usual case management. The primary outcome was number of sickness absence days based on registry data. Secondary outcomes included time to sustainable RTW, defined as four consecutive weeks without medical benefits. RESULTS The median number of sickness absence days for the MI group was 73 days [interquartile range (IQR) 31-147], 76 days (35-134) for usual care, and 75 days (34-155) for active control. In total 89%, 88% and 86% of the participants, respectively, achieved sustainable RTW. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for time to sustainable RTW was 1.12 (95% CI 0.90-1.40) for MI compared to usual case management and HR 1.16 (95% CI 0.93-1.44) compared to the active control. CONCLUSIONS This study did not provide evidence that MI offered by NAV caseworkers to sick-listed individuals was more effective on RTW than usual case management or an active control. Providing MI in this context could be challenging as only half of the MI group received the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene Aasdahl
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Postboks 8905, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Tousignant-Laflamme Y, Houle C, Longtin C, Gérard T, Lagueux E, Perreault K, Beaudry H, Tétreault P, Blanchette MA, Décary S. Prognostic factors specific to work-related musculoskeletal disorders: An overview of recent systematic reviews. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2023; 66:102825. [PMID: 37463542 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Work-related injuries affect a considerable number of people each year and represent a significant burden for society. To reduce this burden, optimizing rehabilitation care by integrating prognostic factors (PF) into the clinical decision-making process is a promising way to improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify PF specific to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS We performed an overview of systematic reviews reporting on PF that had the following outcomes of interest: Return to work, pain, disability, functional status, or poor outcomes. Each extracted PF was categorized according to its level of evidence (grade A or B) and whether it was modifiable or not. The risk of bias of each study was assessed with the ROBIS tool. RESULTS We retrieved 757 citations from 3 databases. After removing 307 duplicates, 450 records were screened, and 20 studies were retained. We extracted a total of 20 PF with a Grade A recommendation, where 7 were deemed modifiable, 11 non-modifiable and 2 were index test. For example, return to work expectations, previous sick leave, delay in referral and pain intensity were found to be predictors of return-to-work outcomes. We also identified 17 PF with a Grade B recommendation, where 11 were deemed modifiable. For example, poor general health, negative recovery expectations, coping and fear-avoidance beliefs, pain severity, and particularly physical work were found to predict return to work outcomes. CONCLUSION We found numerous modifiable PFs that can help clinicians personalize their treatment plan beyond diagnostic-related information for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Tousignant-Laflamme
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Catherine Houle
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Longtin
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Gérard
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Emilie Lagueux
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Kadija Perreault
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada; Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Pascal Tétreault
- Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marc-André Blanchette
- Chiropractic Department, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Décary
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Clinical Research of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Starke F, Sikora A, Stegmann R, Knebel L, Buntrock C, de Rijk A, Houkes I, Szycik GR, Unger HP, Schumacher JO, Stark H, Hauth I, Holzapfel C, Borgolte A, Schneller C, Unterschemmann SL, Paetow W, Jung AL, Berking M, Zimmermann J, Wegewitz U. Evaluating a multimodal, clinical and work-directed intervention (RTW-PIA) to support sustainable return to work among employees with mental disorders: study protocol of a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:380. [PMID: 37254157 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04753-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental disorders (MDs) are one of the leading causes for workforce sickness absence and disability worldwide. The burden, costs and challenges are enormous for the individuals concerned, employers and society at large. Although most MDs are characterised by a high risk of relapse after treatment or by chronic courses, interventions that link medical-psychotherapeutic approaches with work-directed components to facilitate a sustainable return to work (RTW) are rare. This protocol describes the design of a study to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness and implementation process of a multimodal, clinical and work-directed intervention, called RTW-PIA, aimed at employees with MDs to achieve sustainable RTW in Germany. METHODS The study consists of an effectiveness, a health-economic and a process evaluation, designed as a two-armed, multicentre, randomised controlled trial, conducted in German psychiatric outpatient clinics. Sick-listed employees with MDs will receive either the 18-month RTW-PIA treatment in conjunction with care as usual, or care as usual only. RTW-PIA consists of a face-to-face individual RTW support, RTW aftercare group meetings, and web-based aftercare. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after completion of baseline survey. The primary outcome is the employees´ achievement of sustainable RTW, defined as reporting less than six weeks of working days missed out due to sickness absence within 12 months after first RTW. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, mental functioning, RTW self-efficacy, overall job satisfaction, severity of mental illness and work ability. The health-economic evaluation will be conducted from a societal and public health care perspective, as well as from the employer's perspective in a cost-benefit analysis. The design will be supplemented by a qualitative effect evaluation using pre- and post-interviews, and a multimethod process evaluation examining various predefined key process indicators from different stakeholder perspectives. DISCUSSION By applying a comprehensive, multimethodological evaluation design, this study captures various facets of RTW-PIA. In case of promising results for sustainable RTW, RTW-PIA may be integrated into standard care within German psychiatric outpatient clinics. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was prospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00026232 , 1 September 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Starke
- Division 3 Work and Health, Unit 3.5 Evidence-based Occupational Health, Workplace Health Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, Berlin, 10317, Germany.
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexandra Sikora
- Division 3 Work and Health, Unit 3.5 Evidence-based Occupational Health, Workplace Health Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, Berlin, 10317, Germany
| | - Ralf Stegmann
- Division 3 Work and Health, Unit 3.5 Evidence-based Occupational Health, Workplace Health Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, Berlin, 10317, Germany
| | - Leonie Knebel
- Division 3 Work and Health, Unit 3.5 Evidence-based Occupational Health, Workplace Health Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, Berlin, 10317, Germany
| | - Claudia Buntrock
- Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU), Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nägelsbachstr. 25a, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Angelique de Rijk
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Houkes
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Podbielskistr. 162, Hanover, OE7110, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Unger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Centre for Mental Health, Asklepios Clinic Harburg, Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, Hamburg, 21075, Germany
| | - Jan Ole Schumacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Centre for Mental Health, Asklepios Clinic Harburg, Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, Hamburg, 21075, Germany
| | - Heiko Stark
- Department of Psychiatry, Burghof-Clinic, Ritterstr. 19, 31737, Rinteln, Germany
| | - Iris Hauth
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Alexian St. Joseph-Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Gartenstr. 1, 13088, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Anna Borgolte
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Podbielskistr. 162, Hanover, OE7110, Germany
| | - Carlotta Schneller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Alexian St. Joseph-Hospital Berlin-Weissensee, Gartenstr. 1, 13088, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Wiebke Paetow
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Centre for Mental Health, Asklepios Clinic Harburg, Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, Hamburg, 21075, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Jung
- Clinic Wittgenstein, Sählingsstr. 60, 57319, Bad Berleburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Berking
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nägelsbachstr. 25a, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Zimmermann
- Department of Psychology, University of Kassel, Holländische Str. 36-38, 34127, Kassel, Germany
| | - Uta Wegewitz
- Division 3 Work and Health, Unit 3.5 Evidence-based Occupational Health, Workplace Health Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, Berlin, 10317, Germany
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