EU Report Describes Keys to Optimal and Effective RTW Interventions

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work released a report designed to provide an up-to-date summary of knowledge regarding vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work (RTW) systems, programmes and interventions.

The review concluded that optimal RTW interventions should include the following factors:

Early healthcare interventions
Reassurance and encouragement by healthcare professionals during the acute phase of disability
Early contact between employer and employee
Good communication and collaboration among all stakeholders
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, that is, the application of the biopsychosocial approach, addressing health, individual factors and workplace factors, in situations of long-term sickness absence
A combination of clinical interventions and workplace components.

In addition, the report found that effective RTW interventions would be facilitated by:

The integration of work outcomes as key measures in primary healthcare
The education of healthcare professionals on effective RTW interventions
A paradigm shift towards the use of the ‘fit note,’ with relevant guidance and training provided for healthcare professionals
The inclusion of work outcomes in health policies, clinical guidelines, research and audits to reinforce the importance of vocational rehabilitation to full health
The standardization of disability definitions and assessment systems
The establishment of clear systems and strategies for effective communication and cooperation among stakeholders
Clearly defined incentives for all stakeholders
The integration of vocational rehabilitation into organizational health and well-being strategies, as well as broader government policies on occupational health and employment
The education of employers on proactive approaches to RTW interventions
The sharing of good workplace practices for and approaches to RTW.

The OHS Insider has many articles, resources and tools on return to work, including: