Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
PLoS One. 2024 Oct 23;19(10):e0312478. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312478. eCollection 2024.
Chronic pain (pain > 3 months) is a disabling condition affecting around one fifth of the population. Chronic pain significantly affects a person's psychological and physical health and often interferes with the ability to work. It is one of the most common reasons for extended sick leave and persons with chronic pain often have difficulties returning to work. Interpreting the experiences of currently available is necessary in order to facilitate a return to working life. Therefore, this study aimed to describe and interpret the meaning of support during the return-to-work process for persons on sick leave due to chronic pain.
A qualitative interview study was conducted with 14 participants (12 women and 2 men) who experienced sick leave due to chronic pain. The participants were recruited through patient organizations focusing on pain or pain-related conditions. Collected data was analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical approach.
Have my back as I get back to work was the theme of the analysis, along with six subthemes. Being able to work was important for the participants. However, they often experienced returning to work was a battle for support, dealing with fragmentized backing from the involved stakeholders. Participants with access to collaborative support involving competent care, recognition and the possibility to influence their work felt valuable and capable as persons and workers. Thus, they were provided conditions allowing a successful re-entry into the workplace.
Our findings contribute to an enhanced understanding of the importance of stakeholder support in persons with chronic pain re-entering the workplace after an extended break due to sick leave. Through an inclusive, collaborative and flexible approach involving all stakeholders working towards the same goal, a person with chronic pain can feel supported in developing and cultivating the capabilities necessary to manage life and work.
慢性疼痛（疼痛持续超过 3 个月）是一种致残状况，影响约五分之一的人口。慢性疼痛严重影响一个人的身心健康，常常干扰其工作能力。它是延长病假的最常见原因之一，患有慢性疼痛的人往往难以重返工作岗位。为了促进重返工作生活，有必要解释目前可用的干预措施的经验。因此，本研究旨在描述和解释因慢性疼痛而休病假的人在重返工作过程中获得支持的意义。
对 14 名参与者（12 名女性和 2 名男性）进行了定性访谈研究，这些参与者因慢性疼痛而休病假。参与者是通过专注于疼痛或与疼痛相关的病症的患者组织招募的。使用现象学诠释学方法分析收集的数据。
“在我重返工作岗位时支持我”是分析的主题，还有六个副标题。能够工作对参与者很重要。然而，他们经常经历重返工作是一场争取支持的战斗，需要应对来自相关利益相关者的零碎支持。能够获得涉及有能力的护理、认可和影响工作可能性的协作支持的参与者，感到自己作为个人和工作者具有价值和能力。因此，他们获得了成功重返工作场所的条件。
我们的研究结果有助于更好地理解利益相关者支持对慢性疼痛患者休病假后重返工作岗位的重要性。通过涉及所有利益相关者的包容性、协作性和灵活性方法，共同朝着同一个目标努力，慢性疼痛患者可以感到在发展和培养管理生活和工作所需的能力方面得到支持。
