A prospective study of the association between the readiness for return to work scale and future work participation...

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between the Norwegian version of the Readiness for return to work (RTW) scale and future work participation among persons in inpatient occupational rehabilitation.

A prospective cohort with one year follow up. The participants (n = 179) were persons with reduced work ability who participated in a one-week inpatient rehabilitation program. Four readiness for RTW factors were identified at baseline using explorative factor analysis: 'RTW inability' and 'RTW uncertainty' among persons not working, and 'uncertain work maintenance' and 'proactive work maintenance' among persons working. Work participation was measured as days without sickness benefits in the year following the rehabilitation program. The associations between work participation and readiness for RTW factors were analyzed in multivariate linear regression models controlling for gender, age, subjective health complaints, employment status and previous sickness benefit.

High scores on the RTW inability factor were associated with low future work participation among persons not working before the rehabilitation program. Among persons working before the program, the proactive work maintenance factor was associated with high future work participation. Neither the RTW uncertainty factor nor the uncertain work maintenance factor was associated with future work participation.

The associations between two readiness for RTW factors (RTW inability and proactive work maintenance) and future work participation indicate that these factors can be used as screening tools to tailor occupational rehabilitation programs.