A web-based intervention to promote applications for rehabilitation: a study protocol for a randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• The German welfare system prioritizes rehabilitation over pensions, yet many disability pensioners do not access medical rehabilitation before early retirement.
• Barriers to accessing rehabilitation include complex application procedures and a lack of information regarding available services.
• Improving access to medical rehabilitation is a key challenge for rehabilitation research, necessitating innovative solutions like digital information guides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a web-based information guide designed to facilitate the application process for medical rehabilitation programs.
• To investigate whether theory-driven digital information can enhance access to and utilization of rehabilitation services.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 16,000 individuals aged 40-59 with prior sick leave benefits.
• Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving a link to the web-based guide or a control group.
• Data collection included baseline and follow-up surveys, administrative data on rehabilitation application and utilization, and assessment of secondary outcomes like work ability and quality of life.

Main Results:

• The study aims to determine the proportion of individuals who apply for and utilize medical rehabilitation services.
• Secondary outcomes will assess changes in rehabilitation cognitions, self-rated work ability, quality of life, and sick leave duration.

Conclusions:

• The randomized controlled trial is expected to provide high-level evidence on the effectiveness of a theory-driven web-based information guide in improving access to rehabilitation services.
• Findings will clarify the role of digital interventions in supporting individuals with prior sickness benefits to engage with rehabilitation programs.