Using intervention mapping to develop evidence-based toolkits that support workers on long-term sick leave and their...

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Psychology
• Public health

Background:

• Managing long-term sickness absence is difficult for employers, especially for workers with poor mental health.
• Existing guidance lacks structured return-to-work protocols for employers and employees.
• There's a need for best-practice strategies to support timely return to work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop return-to-work toolkits using the intervention mapping (IM) protocol.
• To target mental health and behavior change theories for a positive return-to-work experience.
• To support workers on long-term sick leave.

Main Methods:

• Employed a six-step intervention mapping (IM) process to combine theory and evidence.
• Utilized collaborative planning with researchers, employers, workers, and mental health professionals.
• Gathered feedback from target populations and stakeholders on toolkit acceptability.

Main Results:

• Developed two toolkits (for managers and workers) based on the IM protocol.
• Feedback confirmed the toolkits are acceptable and meet a significant need.
• Planning group and participant feedback informed the toolkit development.

Conclusions:

• Intervention mapping facilitated the creation of an evidence-based, practical intervention.
• The process successfully incorporated diverse stakeholder perspectives.
• Feasibility and acceptability will be evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial.