title: Experiences of factors contributing to women's ability to make informed decisions about the process of rehabilitation and return to work: a focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Functional, interactive and critical skills to use and act on health information, i.e. health literacy, are central preconditions for decision-making. To construct a decision aid that strengthens women's abilities to make decisions during sick leave, knowledge is needed about factors that increase health literacy. The aim of this study was for that reason to explore and describe women's experiences of factors that contribute to their ability to make informed decisions about the process of rehabilitation and return to work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen women with a period of sick leave during the previous 12 months participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative design with a focus group methodology was used. The qualitative data analysis was based on five focus group discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A number of factors emerged that were experienced as supporting. They were distributed over five qualitative categories. Trusting in, valuing and using one's own resources, taking the initiative and obtaining information were described as crucial to making well-founded decisions. Being coached by a professional or being supported by significant others were other factors that contributed to decision-making. The women also experienced that a trustful, transparent, continuous relationship with the professionals involved in the rehabilitation process contributed to well-founded decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The factors experienced as contributing to sick-listed women's ability to make informed decisions were both personal and environmental. Some have a connection with theories that conceptualize intentional relationships and self-efficacy. The factors may be useful as an initial source for the development of a decision aid for women.
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. lena.i.martensson@gu.se
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mårtensson
authors.forename: Gunnel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hensing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D062707:Return to Work; D020377:Self Efficacy; D018582:Sick Leave; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013637:Tape Recording; D035502:Trust