Evaluation of the e-learning "Training for Occupational health professionals To Involve Significant others" (TOTIS)

As it is proposed that significant others, like partners, family members or friends, are important sources of support in helping workers with a chronic disease in return-to-work processes, it can be an potentially effective strategy to involve significant others in occupational health care. A recent survey study shows that this is currently not common practice. Occupational health professionals do not commonly assess cognitions and behaviors of significant others that can influence work participation of their relatives and lack training on this topic. For this reason, the TOTIS e-learning (Training for Occupational health professionals To Involve Significant others) has been developed to educate professionals in how they can best address the role of significant others in the return-to-work process of sick-listed workers with a chronic disease, and how to apply these new insights in their daily practice. This randomized controlled trial will focus on the evaluation of this newly developed e-learning among a sample of Dutch occupational health professionals involved in supporting sick-listed workers with a chronic disease to return to work.

We expect positive changes in knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported confidence in knowledge and skills in OHPs who completed TOTIS.

T0 (baseline); week 0
T1 (outcomes measurement after 4-week trial-period); week 5
T2 (retention measurement, intervention group only); week 14-15

To measure the secondary outcome, all participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form after completion of the e-learning.

In this randomised controlled trial, occupational health professionals will be randomised in an intervention and a waitlisted control group. Both groups will complete a baseline outcomes questionnaire (week 0). After completion of the baseline measurement, the intervention group will be given access to the e-learning through a dedicated website link (week 1). The waitlisted control group will be given access to the e-learning after completion of the outcomes measurement (week 6).

The e-learning consists of the following modules:
1) Attention for the influence of significant others;
2) coping and re-integration;
3) the role of dyadic coping;
4) the role of illness perceptions; and
5) key messages and best-practice recommendations for each of the four prior modules.

Content within each modules is focused on delivering essential knowledge and translating that knowledge into practical skills (i.e. the “know” and “do” for best-practice in addressing the role of significant others). The first four modules include interactive components, such as videos or vignettes in combination with multiple choice questions. The content is based on the results of our previous studies that sought to gain insight in (1) relevant cognitive-behavioral factors of significant others, (2) OHPs’ current practices, stakeholders’ preferences on when and how significant others should be involved in occupational health care and (3) current practices in related fields with regard to involving significant others, and on available literature on the topics that are addressed within the e-learning.