Stakeholder perceptions of supporting patients' return to work in primary care: a qualitative study

Around 2.5 million people in the UK are absent from work due to ill health, yet, for many, accessing work-orientated vocational support (VS) to facilitate return to work (RTW) is challenging. The majority of fit notes are issued in primary care, making this an ideal setting to provide VS.

As part of the Work And Vocational advicE (WAVE) randomised controlled trial (RCT), we explored the delivery of VS by trained vocational support workers (VSWs), from the perspectives of patients, VSWs, employers, and GPs.

In the WAVE RCT, patients from 10 UK general practices were randomised to the offer of usual care or usual care plus VS. This qualitative study explored stakeholder perspectives of the VS intervention.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in the intervention arm (n = 10), employers, VSWs, and GPs (n = 5). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Public and patient involvement and engagement was embedded throughout.

Taking a person-centred, individualised approach to VS enabled VSWs to identify and mitigate RTW obstacles and support participants' self-efficacy to proactively negotiate RTW. The perceived independence of the VSWs from employers and health care was considered important and facilitated more open discussions about capabilities and RTW planning.

Findings indicated that individualised and independent VS offered to patients referred from primary care was perceived by all stakeholders to be valuable to patients absent from work due to illness and supported their RTW planning. These insights can inform future models of VS.