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Returning to work after long term sickness absence due to low back pain – the struggle within: A qualitative study of the patient's experience

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ryan, Cormac G. | Lauchlan, Douglas | Rooney, Leigh | Hollins Martins, Caroline | Gray, Heather;

Affiliations: Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK | School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK | University of Salford, Greater Manchester, UK | Healthy Working Lives Research Group, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

Note: [] Corresponding author: Cormac G. Ryan, Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK. Tel.: +44 1642384125; Fax: +44 1642342983; E-mail: [email protected]

Keywords: Rehabilitation, work absence, interpretative phenomenological analysis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131646

Journal: Work, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 433-444, 2014

Received 4 September 2012
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Accepted 5 February 2013
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Published: 2014
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of work absence. Assisting individuals back into work is an important part of rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of individuals returning to work after an episode of sickness absence due to LBP.

PARTICIPANTS: Five women employed by a UK University who had returned to work.

METHOD: In this qualitative study, participants underwent semi-structured interviews about their experiences. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS: Two primary themes emerged 1) perceived pressure to return to work and 2) strategies employed to relieve the pressure to return. Pressure to return to work arose from a number of sources including guilt and a personal work ethic, internally, and from colleagues and management, externally. This pressure led to the individual employing a number of strategies to reduce it. These ranged from a simple denial of health concerns and decision to return to work regardless of their condition, to placing the responsibility of the decision not to return to work onto a significant other, such as a family member or health care professional.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals returning to work with LBP experience considerable pressure to return and use a range of strategies to mediate that pressure.

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