Table 3

Overview of outcome measures & variables in this study

Outcome measures & variables

T₀

Baseline^d

T₁

2 wks after surgery

T₂

6 wks after surgery

T₃

12 wks after surgery

T₄

26 wks after surgery

Primary

1) Return to work^a

measured monthly^e

Secondary

2) Total duration of sick leave^a

measured monthly^e

3) First RTW^a

measured monthly^e

4) Recovery

• Recovery specific QoL (RI-10)

X

X

X

X

X

• Performed activities

X

• Performed activities measured by e-health intervention^{b, c}

at least 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 84 days after surgery

5) Functional and general health status (SF36, EuroQoL)

X

X

X

6) Pain intensity (Von Korff)

X

X

X

7) Empowerment (GSES)

X

X

X

8) Health care usage (TicP)

X

X

9) Occurrence of complications during the post-operative period

X

X

X

• Complications measured by e-health intervention^{b, c}

at least 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 84, 126 and 182 days after surgery

Prognostic variables

10) Socio-demographic variables

X

11) Type of surgery

X

12) Complications during surgery

X

13) Work-related factors (DMQ, JCQ, additional questions)

X

14) Pain perception and fear avoidance belief (Tampa scale)

X

15) Sick leave duration in the past three months

X

16) Expectations, intention and motivation for return to work

X

Process evaluation

17) Patients attitudes, opinions and compliance regarding the convalescence recommendations and tools of the e-health intervention^a

X

X

X

X

18) Physicians' and employers' attitude en opinion regarding the multidisciplinary care program^b

X

19) Satisfaction with care program and care providers (e.g. PSOHQ)

X

20) Use of the e-health intervention^b

X

X

21) Suggestions for improvement of the e-health intervention

X

X

22) Provided convalescence recommendations by the care providers according to the patients

X

^a Return to work and total duration of sick leave is measured by a monthly calendar of sickness absence.

^b Only measured in the intervention group

^c Besides the standard requested time points, the patients can fill out the recovery monitor/complication form as many times as requested

^d The baseline questionnaire will be filled out no longer than four weeks before the day of surgery.

^e Measured from day of surgery

Vonk Noordegraaf et al. BMC Health Services Research 2012 12:29   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-12-29