Practices of Return-to-Work Coordinators Working in Large Organizations

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Human Resources Management

Background:

• The role of Return-to-Work (RTW) coordinators is crucial for mitigating long-term work disabilities.
• Limited research exists on the specific practices and collaborative networks of RTW coordinators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the key tasks and activities performed by RTW coordinators.
• To determine the primary stakeholders involved in the RTW coordination process.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey utilizing a web-based, self-administered questionnaire.
• Inclusion criteria: RTW coordinators from large organizations (≥500 employees) involved in coordinating at least one return-to-work case in the past year.

Main Results:

• 195 RTW coordinators completed the survey.
• Top activities included applying laws/policies, contacting absent workers, and planning return-to-work.
• Nursing or occupational health and safety backgrounds significantly influenced practices.
• Primary collaborators were workers and their supervisors.

Conclusions:

• Common RTW coordination practices exist across industrialized nations despite varied contexts.
• Health-focused training enhances RTW coordinators' ability to manage work disability complexities.
• Current collaborative actions fall short of recommended levels, highlighting a need for improvement.