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Effect Evaluation of a Self-Management Program for Dutch Workers with a Chronic Somatic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation volume 23, pages 189–199 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a Self-Management Program for workers with a chronic disease. This program is based on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program of Stanford University, modified for workers with a chronic somatic disease. Methods In a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of a Self-Management Program was evaluated. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 57) and the control group (n = 47). The experimental group received an intervention, the control group received care as usual. Primary outcome measures were self-efficacy at work and the attitude towards self-management at work. Secondary outcomes were the SF-12 health survey questionnaire, job satisfaction and intention to change job. The results were measured at baseline, after the intervention and 8 months after the intervention. Results The attitude towards self-management at work (enjoyment) improved after 8 months for the intervention group (p = 0.030). No other outcome variable differed significantly. As an interaction effect, it was found that low educated workers developed a better physical health quality (SF-12) in the intervention group compared with the control group. The attitude towards self-management at work (importance) improved in the intervention group for older and female workers and the attitude toward enjoying self-management at work improved for female workers only. Conclusion The results show that low educated workers, older workers and women benefit significantly more from the training than higher educated workers, younger workers and men.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the employees who participated in the training and this study. We thank the occupational health services and general health practitioners who helped to recruit participants for the intervention. We thank the trainers Heleen van der Wilt and Sue-Anne for offering the intervention. We also gratefully acknowledge the statistical assistance of Hans Bor (Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre). This study was financially supported by the HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Tjeerd de Jong and Frank Stöteler, HAN University of Applied Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HAN Seneca, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Professor Molkenboerstraat 3, PO Box 6960, 6503 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    S. I. Detaille

  2. HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Y. F. Heerkens & J. A. Engels

  3. Department of Primary and Community Care, The Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. W. J. van der Gulden

  4. Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    F. J. H. van Dijk

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  1. S. I. Detaille
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  2. Y. F. Heerkens
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  3. J. A. Engels
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  4. J. W. J. van der Gulden
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  5. F. J. H. van Dijk
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Correspondence to S. I. Detaille.

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Detaille, S.I., Heerkens, Y.F., Engels, J.A. et al. Effect Evaluation of a Self-Management Program for Dutch Workers with a Chronic Somatic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Occup Rehabil 23, 189–199 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-013-9450-0

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Keywords

  • Workers
  • Chronic disease
  • Self-management
  • Randomized controlled trial