Affiliations: Rehabilitation School, Université de Sherbrooke,
Longueuil, Québec, Canada | Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et
sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Abstract: Previous studies have found illness representations to be associated
with the degree to which patients adopt health behaviours. Surprisingly, pain
representations, especially those in a work rehabilitation context, have rarely
been explored. Objective: To conduct a thorough investigation of the pain
representations held by workers who were on sick leave due to persistent
musculoskeletal pain during the process of an intensive work rehabilitation
program. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted
with 16 participants (male, female), three times during the program and one
month after discharge. Data analysis was based on a narrative approach. Results: Throughout the process, pain representation was an indicator of the
type of action the participants were ready to take to control the immediate or
possible consequences of their pain. Using the context of a work rehabilitation
trajectory we identified the differential impact of reconstruction or status
quo in pain representations that eventually led to a return to work, or not. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of identifying and
acknowledging workers' pain representations in facilitating their return to
work.
Keywords: Beliefs, attitudes, disability, work rehabilitation, musculoskeletal disorder
