title: Adapting principles of chronic pain self-management to the workplace.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the extent to which the principles of chronic pain or illness self-management (SM) programs might be adapted to focus on the workplace concerns of adults with persistent or recurrent pain and lead to new workplace intervention opportunities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight SM programs were selected as representative evidence-based programs and then compared to extract common instructional elements. Elements were analyzed for potential application to four workplace problem domains identified by workers with pain: activity interference, negative self-perceptions, interpersonal challenges, and the inflexibility of work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 24 instructional elements, 17 were shared by at least half of the SM programs. Instructional elements judged to be best suited for dealing with workplace concerns included those focused on reducing pain and discomfort, making informed decisions, communicating effectively, and dealing with thoughts and feelings. However, aspects of the workplace that may alter the feasibility or effectiveness of SM strategies include the level of physical demands and limitations, job leeway, and the nature of workplace roles and relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Principles and methods of SM intervention programs are generally well suited to address pain-related problems in the workplace, but tailoring of messages may be necessary to incorporate the unique organizational, physical, and social aspects of work into psycho-educational programs.
authors: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA. william.shaw@libertymutual.com
authors: William S
authors: WS
authors: Shaw
authors: Torill H
authors: TH
authors: Tveito
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Geehern-Lavoie
authors: Yueng-Hsiang
authors: YH
authors: Huang
authors: Michael K
authors: MK
authors: Nicholas
authors: Silje E
authors: SE
authors: Reme
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Wagner
authors: Glenn
authors: G
authors: Pransky
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care; D012649:Self Concept; D017132:Workplace