Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS