Enhancing the vocational outcomes of people with chronic disabilities caused by a musculoskeletal condition: Development and evaluation of content of self-management training modules

Background: No self-management interventions have been developed to empower those chronically disabled by a musculoskeletal condition to find and/or remain at work.Objective: Developand evaluate the content of two self-management training modules to improve vocational outcomes for those with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: Stanford University s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program provided the framework for the new modules. Focus groups with the eightpersons with workdisabilities and concept-mapping sessions with the 12 experienced vocational rehabilitation professionals were conducted to identify factors and themes contributing to workers remaining/returning to work post-injury. Five experienced self-management trainers reviewed the modules for consistency with self-management principles.Results: Two new self-management modules: Navigating the System and Managing a Return to Work were developed.The persons with work disabilitiesgenerated four themes: accepting and coping with injury; skills to manage pain and life; positive working relationships and, re-inventing self, whereas the rehabilitation professionals identified three themes:communication and support of others; the injured worker s abilities and resources, and knowledge and education.Conclusions: Anintervention developed to enhance self-management skills and facilitate positive vocational outcomes of those seeking to return to work post-injury was confirmed as relevant by persons with work disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and self-management trainers. ? 2014 IOS Press and the authors. Background: No self-management interventions have been developed to empower those chronically disabled by a musculoskeletal condition to find and/or remain at work.Objective: Developand evaluate the content of two self-management training modules to improve vocational outcomes for those with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: Stanford University s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program provided the framework for the new modules. Focus groups with the eightpersons with workdisabilities and concept-mapping sessions with the 12 experienced vocational rehabilitation professionals were conducted to identify factors and themes contributing to workers remaining/returning to work post-injury. Five experienced self-management trainers reviewed the modules for consistency with self-management principles.Results: Two new self-management modules: Navigating the System and Managing a Return to Work were developed.The persons with work disabilitiesgenerated four themes: accepting and coping with injury; skills to manage pain and life; positive working relationships and, re-inventing self, whereas the rehabilitation professionals identified three themes:communication and support of others; the injured worker s abilities and resources, and knowledge and education.Conclusions: Anintervention developed to enhance self-management skills and facilitate positive vocational outcomes of those seeking to return to work post-injury was confirmed as relevant by persons with work disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and self-management trainers. ? 2014 IOS Press and the authors. Background: No self-management interventions have been developed to empower those chronically disabled by a musculoskeletal condition to find and/or remain at work.Objective: Developand evaluate the content of two self-management training modules to improve vocational outcomes for those with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: Stanford University s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program provided the framework for the new modules. Focus groups with the eightpersons with workdisabilities and concept-mapping sessions with the 12 experienced vocational rehabilitation professionals were conducted to identify factors and themes contributing to workers remaining/returning to work post-injury. Five experienced self-management trainers reviewed the modules for consistency with self-management