The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a website.If the results indicate that the website is effective, the website may be implemented on a large scale. With the use of an effective website, companies will receive better…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Muscle disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
There are three primary study parameters:
1) Employees understanding of their situation and autonomy
2) Performance of OPs
3) Time to refer by the OP
Secondary outcome
The secondary study parameter is time to full return to work.
Background summary
Many employees who are sicklisted do not really know how to handle the
situation. Simple and specific education and individually based instructions
through a website can possibly solve or reduce this problem. Besides, the
website contains a questionnaire which offers relevant information for the
occupational physician (OP). This can be a helpfull tool, because OPs
unfortenately often neglet guidelines. Previous studies show that OPs do not
refer al all or refer too late to specific interventions. This study will
investigate the effectiveness of an interactive website. The hypothesis is that
employees, by using this website, learn how to handle the situation. This will
improve recovery and stimulate earlier return to work. Besides, the OPs will
receive more information by using this website. Due to this extra information
OPs can refer quickly to an intervention.
Study objective
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a website.
If the results indicate that the website is effective, the website may be
implemented on a large scale. With the use of an effective website, companies
will receive better care from their occupational health service. This will
result in a reduction of symptoms, disorders, sickness absence and costs.
Study design
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with one intervention (n=64) and one control
group (n=64). Randomisation will take place on the level of the occupational
physician (OP). Furthermore, the prerandomisation design will be used. This
means that participants are not aware of the randomisation procedure, but will
only be informed about the general purpose of the study.
Intervention
All participants will receive usual care in accordance with the guidelines for
OPs.
Besides, participants in the intervention group will also use the website. This
website is an extra tool to understand their situation and illustrates what
they can do themselves to solve the problem. The website generates simple but
specific information about the situation for each employee. Moreover, the
website gives individually based instructions.
Besides, the OPs will receive more information by using this website. Due to
this extra information OPs can refer quickly to an intervention.
Study burden and risks
At two moments, participants are asked to fill in a questionnaire. We estimated
that one questionnaire will take 20 minutes to fulfill. Participants in the
intervention group will also need some time to read the information on the
website en perform the instructions which are given. It is difficult to
estimate the amount of time needed for the website.
The are no risks involved in this study.
All participants receive usual care in accordance with the guidelines for OPs.
Participants in the intervention group will also follow instructions on the
website, which can not lead to serious adverse events. All exercises are based
on the nature and history of the complaints.
Moreover, specific or serious complaints will be checked by the OP before
someone can participate in the study.
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam
Nederland
Van der Boechorststraat 7
1081 BT Amsterdam
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Non specific back or neck complaints and sickness absence due to these complaints
Understanding of the Dutch language
Internet access also at home
Exclusion criteria
Serious complaints (red flags, e.g. high fever), which need immediately medical care from a specialist
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL11705.029.06 |