A Cross-Provider Healthcare Management Program for Musculoskeletal Disorders: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in 22 German Companies

Kyung-Eun (Anna) Choi, Lara Lindert, Lara Schlomann, Christina Samel, Martin Hellmich and Holger Pfaff
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Kyung-Eun (Anna) Choi: Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
Lara Lindert: Center for Health Services Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
Lara Schlomann: Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933 Cologne, Germany
Christina Samel: Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 10, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Martin Hellmich: Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 10, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Holger Pfaff: Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933 Cologne, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common cause for reduced work capacity and sick leave. Workplace health promotion programs are often neither tailored to the workplace nor the individual needs of the employees. To counteract lacking intersectional care, this four-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to investigate the effects of modular coordinating case management (treatment group) compared to supported self-management (control group) on MSD specific sick leave days (routine data), workability (WAI), self-efficacy (self-efficacy scale), and pain (German pain questionnaire, GPQ). The study network comprised 22 companies, 15 company health insurance funds, and 12 pension funds in Germany. Overall, 852 participants (Module A/early intervention: n = 651, Module B/rehabilitation: n = 190, Module C/reintegration: n = 10) participated. Both groups achieved fewer sick leave days, higher workability, and less pain ( p < 0.0001) at follow-up compared to baseline. At follow-up, the coordinating case management group showed fewer disability days (GPQ), lower disability scores (GPQ), and lower pain intensities (GPQ) than the supported self-management group ( p < 0.05), but no superiority regarding MSD specific sick leave days, workability, nor self-efficacy. Module A showed more comprehensive differences. The accompanying process evaluation shows barriers and facilitators for the implementation of the program, especially in a RCT setting.

Keywords: workplace health promotion; employee health; sick leave; return to work; case management; self-management; early intervention; rehabilitation; reintegration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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