Transforming the meaning of pain: an important step for the return to work.
Previous studies have found illness representations to be associated with the degree to which patients adopt health behaviours. Surprisingly, pain representations, especially those in a work rehabilitation context, have rarely been explored.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct a thorough investigation of the pain representations held by workers who were on sick leave due to persistent musculoskeletal pain during the process of an intensive work rehabilitation program.


METHODS
Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (male, female), three times during the program and one month after discharge. Data analysis was based on a narrative approach.


RESULTS
Throughout the process, pain representation was an indicator of the type of action the participants were ready to take to control the immediate or possible consequences of their pain. Using the context of a work rehabilitation trajectory we identified the differential impact of reconstruction or status quo in pain representations that eventually led to a return to work, or not.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of identifying and acknowledging workers' pain representations in facilitating their return to work.
Coutu
Marie-France
MF
Rehabilitation School, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Québec, Canada. Marie-France.Coutu@USherbrooke.ca
Baril
Raymond
R
Durand
Marie-José
MJ
Côté
Daniel
D
Rouleau
Annick
A
Cadieux
Geneviève
G
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011792:Quebec; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D018582:Sick Leave