Work-related limitations and return-to-work experiences in prolonged fatigue: workers' perspectives before and after vocational treatment

Abstract

Purpose. To gain insight into fatigued workers' perspectives regarding work experience before and after receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) treatments.

Method. A qualitative survey was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 21 fatigued workers who attended an outpatient multi-component VR treatment. Six months after treatment, work-related limitations and employed VR strategies at work before treatment were explored. Next, VR treatment experiences regarding return-to-work (RTW) were explored. Two researchers performed partially independent, qualitative analyses that revealed topics, discussed by the project team, and organised into domains, categories and sub-categories.

Results. Work-related limitations were: symptoms of prolonged fatigue, personal limitations (e.g. lack of self-reflection on individual capacity and limitations), interpersonal factors, activities and conditions at work and life/work imbalance. Before the treatment, VR strategies such as work adaptations, well-intentioned advice and support, and/or referral to psychological or physical care were employed. VR treatment experiences on RTW were: personal challenges (e.g. gained awareness and coping skills), improved activities during work, work adaptations and unresolved problems (e.g. remaining fatigue symptoms and sickness absence).

Conclusions. New information about work experiences before and after multi-component VR treatments in workers with prolonged fatigue may help employers, occupational physicians and other caregivers to develop VR strategies that better meet individuals' needs.

Keywords:

• Fatigue
• patient perspective
• qualitative interview
• vocational treatment
• return to work

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the outpatient institutions for their efforts recruiting patients for this study and the patients for participating. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank the anonymous referee of Disability and Rehabilitation for the textual remarks made. This study was supported by a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. The authors report no declaration of interest.