Tools for two. Het optimaliseren van het functioneren op het werk: het ontwikkelen en toetsen van interventies gericht op optimaal functioneren op het werk.

Samenvatting:

Many interventions in the workplace focus on reducing absenteeism and symptoms or disorders like stress or depression. They are often evaluated in terms of return to work outcomes. However, the effect of these interventions is not measured with respect to work functioning. An employee who returns to work does not necessarily engage in efficient work conducting nor does he or she has to feel healthy. This project aims at developing and testing interventions that are directed at optimal work functioning and health condition. The emphasis lies on 'stay at work' instead of 'return to work'. We pursue to realize a mutual adaptation of the employee and the work situation and to create a balance between economic and health values.

First, a systematic review will be conducted on different interventions at the workplace with an emphasis on Problem Solving Interventions. Second, a qualitative study will be carried out to complement the review by verifying the perspectives of employees, occupational health, supervisors and human resource advisors on interventions at work. The results of these two studies will be incorporated in an intervention protocol. This protocol will be tested by executing a randomized controlled trial. Finally, a prognostic study will try to identify predictors of suboptimal functioning.