Affiliations: [a] School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC,Canada
| [b] Research Centre of the CHUS, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC,Canada
| [c] CAPRIT, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC,Canada
| [d] School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC,Canada
| [e] Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation, Montréal, QC,Canada
| [f] Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST), Montréal, QC,Canada
| [g] Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC,Canada
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Guillaume Léonard, Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke J1 H 4C4, QC, Canada. E-mail: guillaume.leonard2@usherbrooke.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition frequently leading to disability. Research suggests that self-management (SM) programs for chronic LBP should include strategies to promote sustainable return to work. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to 1) validate and prioritize the essential content elements of a SM program in light of the needs of workplace representatives, and 2) identify the main facilitators and barriers to be considered when developing and implementing a SM program delivered via information and communication technologies (ICT). METHODS:A sequential qualitative design was used. We recruited workplace representatives and potential future users of SM programs (union representatives and employers) and collected data through focus groups and nominal group techniques to validate the relevance of the different elements included into 3 broad categories (Understand, Learn, Apply), as well as to highlight potential barriers and facilitators. RESULTS:Eleven participants took part in this study. The content elements proposed in the scientific literature for SM programs were found to align with potential future users’ needs, with participants ranking the same elements as those proposed in the literature as the most important across all categories. Although some barriers were identified, workplace representatives believed that ICT offer an appropriate strategy for delivering individualized SM programs to injured workers who have returned to work. CONCLUSION:Our study suggests that the elements identified in the scientific literature as essential components of SM programs designed to ensure a sustainable return to work for people with LBP are in line with the needs of future users.
Keywords: Workers, occupational health, information technologies, rehabilitation
