Health promotion and rehabilitation: a case study

Since the number of people in Sweden on long-term sick leave has rapidly increased since 1996, new non-biomedical models of occupational rehabilitation are at stake. A group of seven women who had finished medical treatment and rehabilitation but were still on sick leave or temporary disability pension for several years, worked in a problem-based rehabilitation group for 6 months. Focus for the group was on a process of change towards health and work ability.

The aim of this case study was to improve understanding of effects of a problem-based rehabilitation model (PBR) on health promoting processes amongst a group of women on long-term sick leave.

Data source was a focus group interview. The analysis follows the guidelines of qualitative analysis that emerges from grounded theory.

The pedagogical model of PBR enhanced the participant's internal resources such as self-confidence and ability to act in a social setting. External resources such as social support were improved. An individual follow-up was conducted 2 years after the rehabilitation process and four out of seven women had returned to work.

Among this group of women PBR launched health-promoting processes. When the more medically oriented treatment is finished or is not able to contribute further to the individual's recovery, other aspects of the individuals abilities and health resources will be focused upon.