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Pilot Trial of Workable: A Therapist-Supported Digital Program for Injured Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Crawford

    (Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia)

  • Jay Spence

    (Uprise Services Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Tali Lovegrove

    (Uprise Services Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Edman Tam

    (Uprise Services Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Daniel Collins

    (Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia)

  • Samuel B. Harvey

    (Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia)

  • Mark Deady

    (Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia)

Abstract

Workplace sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem, and common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression are associated with particularly high rates of long-term sickness absence. Effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are required. This pilot study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a new therapist-assisted Web-based RTW intervention ( Workable) for injured workers on sick leave for a psychological or physical injury. A single-group open pilot trial design was used, with assessments at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of online modules and 6 coaching calls from a psychologist. A total of 13 participants were recruited and 9 completed all questionnaires. Program adherence was high, with 92% of participants completing the 6-week intervention. Participants reported high levels of intervention satisfaction and ease of use. There were large and significant reductions between pre- and post-treatment on measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and workdays missed over the past four weeks, along with a significant increase in self-reported work ability. These results suggest that Workable is a feasible and acceptable intervention for injured workers, with the potential to improve mental health and RTW outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is required to determine the efficacy of the intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Crawford & Jay Spence & Tali Lovegrove & Edman Tam & Daniel Collins & Samuel B. Harvey & Mark Deady, 2023. "Pilot Trial of Workable: A Therapist-Supported Digital Program for Injured Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2460-:d:1051527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Larsen, Daniel L. & Attkisson, C. Clifford & Hargreaves, William A. & Nguyen, Tuan D., 1979. "Assessment of client/patient satisfaction: Development of a general scale," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 197-207, January.
    2. Juan M. Flujas-Contreras & Azucena García-Palacios & Inmaculada Gómez, 2021. "Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention on Parental Psychological Flexibility and Emotion Regulation: A Pilot Open Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Eileen Bendig & Ann-Marie Küchler & Harald Baumeister & Thomas Becker, 2021. "Blended Care in In-Patient Acute Psychiatric Care. The Example of a Group Training for Social Competences in Adults—A Pretest–Posttest Feasibility Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Mark L. Bryan & Andrew M. Bryce & Jennifer Roberts, 2021. "The effect of mental and physical health problems on sickness absence," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 22(9), pages 1519-1533, December.
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