title: Enhancing the vocational outcomes of people with chronic disabilities caused by a musculoskeletal condition: development and evaluation of content of self-management training modules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No self-management interventions have been developed to empower those chronically disabled by a musculoskeletal condition to find and/or remain at work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Developand evaluate the content of two self-management training modules to improve vocational outcomes for those with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stanford University's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program provided the framework for the new modules. Focus groups with the eightpersons with workdisabilities and concept-mapping sessions with the 12 experienced vocational rehabilitation professionals were conducted to identify factors and themes contributing to workers remaining/returning to work post-injury. Five experienced self-management trainers reviewed the modules for consistency with self-management principles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two new self-management modules: 'Navigating the System' and 'Managing a Return to Work' were developed.The persons with work disabilitiesgenerated four themes: accepting and coping with injury; skills to manage pain and life; positive working relationships and, re-inventing self, whereas the rehabilitation professionals identified three themes:communication and support of others; the injured worker's abilities and resources, and knowledge and education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anintervention developed to enhance self-management skills and facilitate positive vocational outcomes of those seeking to return to work post-injury was confirmed as relevant by persons with work disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and self-management trainers.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.affiliation: Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gargett
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jull
authors.affiliation: Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D062707:Return to Work; D012648:Self Care; D014829:Vocational Education
keywords: Rehabilitation; patient education; recovery of function; work; worker empowerment