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Prevention of Work Disability Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders: The Challenge of Implementing Evidence

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Abstract

Background: The process of returning disabled workers to work presents numerous challenges. In spite of the growing evidence regarding work disability prevention, little uptake of this evidence has been observed. One reason for limited dissemination of evidence is the complexity of the problem, as it is subject to multiple legal, administrative, social, political, and cultural challenges. Purpose and methods: A literature review and collection of experts' opinion is presented, on the current evidence for work disability prevention, and barriers to evidence implementation. Recommendations are presented for enhancing implementation of research results. Conclusion: The current evidence regarding work disability prevention shows that some clinical interventions (advice to return to modified work and graded activity programs) and some non-clinical interventions (at a service and policy/community level but not at a practice level) are effective in reducing work absenteeism. Implementation of evidence in work disability is a major challenge because intervention recommendations are often imprecise and not yet practical for immediate use, many barriers exist, and many stakeholders are involved. Future studies should involve all relevant stakeholders and aim at developing new strategies that are effective, efficient, and have a potential for successful implementation. These studies should be based upon a clearer conceptualization of the broader context and inter-relationships that determine return to work outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Disability Prevention Research and Training Center, Université de Sherbrooke, 1111 St-Charles West, Suite 101, Longueuil, J4K 5G4, Québec, Canada

    Patrick Loisel

  2. Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Cabrini Hospital, Malvern Victoria, Australia

    Rachelle Buchbinder

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Rachelle Buchbinder

  4. Departments of Orthopaedics and Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA

    Rowland Hazard

  5. Maine Medical Assessment Foundation, Augusta, Maine, USA

    Robert Keller

  6. The Norwegian Back Pain Network, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Inger Scheel

  7. Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Maurits van Tulder

  8. Institute for Health Sciences, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Maurits van Tulder

  9. Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Center for Disability Research, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA

    Barbara Webster

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  1. Patrick Loisel
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  2. Rachelle Buchbinder
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  4. Robert Keller
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  6. Maurits van Tulder
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  7. Barbara Webster
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Correspondence to Patrick Loisel.

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Loisel, P., Buchbinder, R., Hazard, R. et al. Prevention of Work Disability Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders: The Challenge of Implementing Evidence. J Occup Rehabil 15, 507–524 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-005-8031-2

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