[Patients on the collaboration between occupational and curative physicians].

Area of Science:

• Occupational Medicine
• Patient Experience Research
• Healthcare Collaboration

Context:

• Collaboration between occupational physicians and treating physicians is crucial for patients on long-term disability.
• Patients face challenges returning to the workforce, highlighting the need for effective physician cooperation.
• Understanding patient perspectives is key to improving this collaborative process.

Purpose:

• To investigate patient experiences with collaboration between occupational and treating physicians.
• To identify reasons why this cooperation is challenging to implement effectively.
• To explore patient views on the roles of occupational and treating physicians.

Summary:

• Patients value treating physician support during disagreements with occupational physicians.
• Patients prefer controlling information exchange due to fear of negative consequences.
• Patients see treating physicians as protectors and occupational physicians as reintegration mediators.

Impact:

• Physicians focus on clinical aspects, while patients adopt a strategic, self-interest-driven approach to collaboration.
• This difference in perspective may explain patient reluctance towards occupational-curative cooperation.
• Involving patients actively and seeking their consent is vital for successful reintegration and collaboration.