Take Home Messages:

Supervisors are a key workplace group that deal with return to work. The following vocational rehabilitation approaches were well received by supervisors;

1. Employee centred;
2. Solution oriented;
3. Involving team members;
4. Simplify the process; and
5. Support supervisors with professional back up.

Why the research matters:

Many studies have reported the success of employer-provided vocational rehabilitation programs in returning ill or injured employees to work. These programs are commonly delivered by a team of professionals, including representatives of the employer (often the employee's manager or supervisor), the insurer and the occupational health service, and healthcare providers. While several studies have reported on the experiences and attitudes of the workers who participate in these programs, few have examined the attitudes and perceptions of the people involved in delivering the programs.

What the research involved:

Researchers in rehabilitation medicine from the Karolinska Institute and Mid-Sweden University in Sweden undertook a study to examine the views of supervisors involved in a multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation program to assist their ill or injured employees to return to work.

The rehabilitation program used a client-centred, solution-oriented approach to consider and implement return-to-work strategies for the employee. The employee was supported and monitored through regular follow-up meetings involving all rehabilitation team members.

The views of 95 supervisors on the operational aspects of the vocational rehabilitation program and its effects were elicited using questionnaires completed prior to and during delivery of the program.

Summary of research findings:

The workplace supervisors had a favourable view of the multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation program, reporting that it:

• Significantly improved co-operation with both the social insurance office and the occupational health service;
• Did not increase difficulties in co-operation with the social insurance office and the occupational health service;·        
• Significantly reduced the amount of “buck-passing” or referral of the worker from one organisation to another without the problem being resolved;
• Significantly increased the likelihood of the participating employees to return to their regular job or another job; and,
• Significantly increased the likelihood of alternative rehabilitation strategies being considered.

The multidisciplinary program was seen to function efficiently and provide simplified and effective co-ordination of the employee's rehabilitation through:

• Direct access to several different professions and perspectives;
• Positive and focused interactions between the team members;
• Reduced risk of misunderstanding and manipulation of information;
• Simplified and efficient administration with faster decision-making;
• Efficient use of resources; and,
• More creative and constructive rehabilitation alternatives.

Among the concerns about the operation of the program were:

• The risk of the employee feeling vulnerable and exposed when meeting with a team of rehabilitation program providers;
• Expectations may be unrealistic; and
• The meetings took longer due to the increased number of participants.

In summary, workplace supervisors reported positive experiences with the Swedish model of vocational rehabilitation. The program used an employee-focused, solution-oriented approach, with regular follow-up meetings with the employee and team members.

The supervisors thought that the program improved co-operation between the team members and resulted in more efficient and effective co-ordination of the employee's rehabilitation.

Original research:

The views of sick-listed employees' immediate superiors on co-operation in vocational rehabilitation.
Kärrholm J, Jakobsson B, Schüldt Håård U, Ekholm J, Bergroth J, Bergroth A, Schüldt Ekholm K.

Work; 2007; 29: 101-111.

Link to PubMed abstract