Development of a workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders: Intervention Mapping as a useful tool.
BACKGROUND
To date, mental health problems and mental workload have been increasingly related to long-term sick leave and disability. However, there is, as yet, no structured protocol available for the identification and application of an intervention for stress-related mental health problems at the workplace. This paper describes the structured development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders (SMDs). The intervention is based on an existing successful return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with low back pain.


METHODS
The principles of Intervention Mapping were applied to combine theory and evidence in the development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a participatory workplace intervention, aimed at an early return-to-work for sick-listed employees with SMDs. All stakeholders were involved in focus group interviews: i.e. employees recently sick-listed with SMDs, supervisors and occupational health professionals.


RESULTS
The development of the participatory workplace intervention according to the Intervention Mapping principles resulted in a structured return-to-work intervention, specifically tailored to the needs of sick-listed employees with SMDs. Return-to-work was proposed as a behavioural change, and the Attitude - Social influence - self-Efficacy model was identified as a theoretical framework. Stakeholder involvement in focus group interviews served to enhance the implementation. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention Mapping was found to be a promising method to develop interventions tailored to a specific target group in the field of occupational health.
van Oostrom
Sandra H
SH
EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. sandra.vanoostrom@vumc.nl
Anema
Johannes R
JR
Terluin
Berend
B
Venema
Anita
A
de Vet
Henrica C W
HC
van Mechelen
Willem
W
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009426:Netherlands; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*
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