Development of a workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders: Intervention Mapping as a useful tool

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-7-127

BMC Health Services Research
Volume 7

Viewing options:

Abstract
Full text
PDF (333KB)

Associated material:

Related literature:

Articles citing this article
on BioMed Central
on Google Scholar
on ISI Web of Science
on PubMed Central
Other articles by authors
on Google Scholar

van Oostrom SH
Anema JR
Terluin B
Venema A
de Vet HC
van Mechelen W

on PubMed

van Oostrom SH
Anema JR
Terluin B
Venema A
de Vet HC
van Mechelen W
Related articles/pages
on Google

on Google Scholar

on PubMed

Tools:

Post to:

Research article

Development of a workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders: Intervention Mapping as a useful tool

Sandra H van Oostrom¹^,2^,3 , Johannes R Anema¹^,2^,3^,4 , Berend Terluin¹^,5 , Anita Venema⁶ , Henrica CW de Vet¹ and Willem van Mechelen¹^,2^,3^,4

¹EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

²Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

³Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁴Research Center for Insurance Medicine AMC-UWV-VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁵Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁶TNO Quality of Life, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

author email corresponding author email

BMC Health Services Research 2007, 7:127doi:10.1186/1472-6963-7-127


Published:	15 August 2007

Abstract

Background

To date, mental health problems and mental workload have been increasingly related to long-term sick leave and disability. However, there is, as yet, no structured protocol available for the identification and application of an intervention for stress-related mental health problems at the workplace. This paper describes the structured development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders (SMDs). The intervention is based on an existing successful return-to-work intervention for sick-listed employees with low back pain.

Methods

The principles of Intervention Mapping were applied to combine theory and evidence in the development, implementation and planning for the evaluation of a participatory workplace intervention, aimed at an early return-to-work for sick-listed employees with SMDs. All stakeholders were involved in focus group interviews: i.e. employees recently sick-listed with SMDs, supervisors and occupational health professionals.

Results

The development of the participatory workplace intervention according to the Intervention Mapping principles resulted in a structured return-to-work intervention, specifically tailored to the needs of sick-listed employees with SMDs. Return-to-work was proposed as a behavioural change, and the Attitude – Social influence – self-Efficacy model was identified as a theoretical framework. Stakeholder involvement in focus group interviews served to enhance the implementation. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.

Conclusion

Intervention Mapping was found to be a promising method to develop interventions tailored to a specific target group in the field of occupational health.

Trial registration

ISRCTN92307123