Vocational Perspective - Short-Term Efficacy of a Group Treatment for Patients with Extensive Work-Related Problems during Medical Rehabilitation

Aim of the study: To analyze the short-term efficacy of the Vocational Perspective programme for patients identified as having extensive workrelated problems during rheumatology or orthopaedic inpatient rehabilitation. The primary objectives of the programme on patient level are to convey information about the legal provisions regarding earning incapacity and occupational reintegration, to suggest strategies for dealing with one's own occupational situation, and to strengthen the motivation to stay employed. The programme is explicitly designed for patients who wish to retire or have applied for a pension. On the systemic level, the main goals are to facilitate doctor-patient communication and to increase rehabilitation teams' awareness of occupational problems. Methods: In a controlled quasi-experimental design, 359 subjects were consecutively assigned to either the control group (CG, n=177) or the intervention group (IG, n=182). The control group received standard care only, whereas the intervention group additionally participated in the 5-part Vocational Perspective programme. Evaluation criteria were assessed by questionnaire at the beginning (t1) and at end of rehabilitation (t2). Survey participation was 92.2% at t2. The socio-medically relevant knowledge status was objectively documented using a specially designed knowledge questionnaire. Aspects of treatment satisfaction were evaluated using individual items, and the subjective prognosis of gainful employment was assessed using the Subjective Prognosis of Gainful Employment (SPE) scale. Facilitation of communication between doctor and patient was operationalized at patient level in terms of patient satisfaction with medical care, and increased awareness of the rehabilitation team was operationalized in terms of the rate of recommendations to apply for vocational reintegration (LTA) services at discharge. Emotional and functional parameters were exploratively analyzed (anxiety and depression using the IRES 3.1 scales, and subjectively experienced pain-related impairment using the Pain Disability Index). Results: Scores for subjective satisfaction with job-related information, medical care, socio-medical assessment, and the overall benefits of rehabilitation were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. IG subjects moreover were better able to use the rehabilitation measure to clarify their occupational situation and exhibited significantly greater improvement of socio-medically relevant knowledge. Age proved to be an important predictor of change in a patient's subjective prognosis for gainful employment (SPE): A positive change in SPE was observed in both groups in subjects under 50, in those aged 50 and older, however, only in the intervention group. No differences between the two groups were observed in terms of functional and emotional parameters (e.g., disability through pain, anxiety, and depression). A total of 60% of the subjects received a recommendation at discharge to apply for vocational reintegration services, the proportion however was significantly higher in the IG. Conclusions: The Vocational Perspective programme met the patients' high demand for information on relevant socio-medical facilities and services regarding career change and facilitated communication between the doctor and patient by creating greater transparency. The improvement of subjective prognosis for gainful employment observed in the subgroup of older patients indicates that specialized interventions are needed in precisely this disadvantaged group in order to improve their own vocational expectations and thus to improve their chances of reintegration into work life. The high rate of recommendations to apply for vocational reintegration services suggests that rehabilitation teams already have a high awareness of job-related problems even under usual care conditions.