Return to work after rehabilitation in chronic low back pain workers. Does the interprofessional collaboration work?

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to assess the workplace information collected and shared between professionals of the centers and occupational health professionals during functional restoration programs intended to chronic low back pain patients. A descriptive study carried out by a questionnaire sent to the French rehabilitation centers offering a functional restoration program. Data collection focused on the kinds of professionals involved in programs, professionals who approach work issues, work analysis, social and occupational information collected, existence of a specific work rehabilitation program, frequency of and methods for sharing information with occupational health professionals. Occupational information was mostly collected at inclusion during an individual interview by the rehabilitation physicians, social workers, and occupational therapists. Workplace environment was the most poorly discussed aspect. A minority of centers adapted their programs regarding these information. Information sharing with occupational physicians was mostly through the patient and was influenced by the presence of an ergonomist or of an occupational physician in the team. The study found poor interest about work environment and that the cooperation between practitioners in disability management remains limited. The various practitioners’ cultures and interests may be a brake on cooperation and exchange of information.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic low back pain
• return to work
• functional rehabilitation program
• interprofessional collaboration

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Spine Section of the French Society of Rheumatology and all the rehabilitation centers’ practitioners who accept to participate in the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and content of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the environment- health-work national research program of the National Agency of food, environment and work safety (Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire alimentation, environment, travail - ANSES). It was also funded by The French National Research Program for Environmental and Occupational Health of Anses (EST-12-007).