Work disability is a major personal, financial and public health burden. With more people living with many types of chronic illnesses now than ever before, the problem of work disability will continue to escalate if we do not take action. Return to work is a major indicator of real-world functioning, therefore predicting future success is a major focus of research. Returning employees to work is complex and involves the interplay of different factors beyond only disease.
Take home messages:
- The health condition itself is not that important in influencing return to work
- Expectations of recovery and return-to-work, pain and disability levels, depression, workplace factors, and access to multidisciplinary resources are important modifiable factors in progressing RTW across health and injury conditions
- This information can be used to facilitate RTW for injured/ill workers regardless of the specific injury or illness
Learning Outcomes
The components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework and how they apply to return to work
Common prognostic factors associated with return to work outcomes
Modifiable prognostic factors
Principles of successful return to work