Exploring return to work barriers through the lens of model of human occupation. The NOW WHAT project

Background

The challenges of returning to work after sickness absence demands a wide conceptual understanding of what hinders the employee’s work participation. Thus, there is a need to know more about self-perceived barriers for Return to Work (RTW).

Aim

This study aimed to investigate RTW barriers experienced by employees on long-term sick leave, through the lens of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO).

Material and methods

The study was a large-scale qualitative interview study (n = 85) using semi-structured telephone interviews. Eligible participants had received sick leave benefits for between 6 months and 1.5 years. The data were analysed with quantitative and qualitative content analysis. A deductive approach using the MOHO concepts guided the analysis process.

Results

The study generated 941 coded meaning units describing barriers for RTW, of which we were able to code 895 within the framework of MOHO. In the person-specific concepts, performance capacity barriers were most often described (n = 303), followed by volitional barriers (n = 165) and barriers related to habituation (n = 66). Barriers related to the environmental components amounted to 361. Barriers in the occupational environment was dominant (n = 214).

Conclusion

Experienced barriers related to both environmental components and person-specific concepts.

Significance

The habituational and volitional perspective on barriers can contribute to the identification and communication of performance capacity-related barriers not previously identified.