title: Implementing a collaborative return-to-work program: Lessons from a qualitative study in a large Canadian healthcare organization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Comprehensive workplace return-to-work policies, applied with consistency, can reduce length of time out of work and the risk of long-term disability. This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative study exploring managers' and return-to-work-coordinators' views on the implementation of their organization's new return-to-work program.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide practical guidance to organizations in designing and implementing return-to-work programs for their employees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 20 managers and 10 return-to-work co-ordinators to describe participants' perspectives on the progress of program implementation in the first 18 months of adoption. The study was based in a large healthcare organization in Ontario, Canada. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified tensions evident in the early implementation phase of the organization's return-to-work program. These tensions were attributed to uncertainties concerning roles and responsibilities and to circumstances where objectives or principles appeared to be in conflict.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of a comprehensive and collaborative return-to-work program is a complex challenge. The findings described in this paper may provide helpful guidance for organizations embarking on the development and implementation of a return-to-work program.
authors: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.|MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Skivington
authors: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Marni
authors: M
authors: Lifshen
authors: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Cameron
authors: C
authors: Mustard
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D005260:Female; D019981:Health Care Sector; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D015279:Organizational Culture; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062707:Return to Work
keywords: Return to work; employment; organizational innovation; sick leave