The key features of the program include ; having trained personnel coordinate the RTW process , identifying and ranking barriers and solutions to RTW from the perspective of all important stakeholders , mediating practical solutions at the workplace and , empowering the injured worker in RTW decision-making .
Background Despite over 2 decades of research , the ability to prevent  work-related low back pain ( LBP ) and disability  remains elusive .
Recent research suggests that interventions that are focused at the workplace and incorporate the principals of participatory ergonomics and return-to-work ( RTW ) coordination can improve RTW and reduce disability following a work-related back injury .
Workplace interventions or programs to improve RTW  are difficult to design and implement given the various individuals and environments involved , each with their own unique circumstances .
Intervention mapping provides a framework for design ing and implementing complex interventions or programs .
The objective of this study is to design a best evidence RTW program for occupational LBP tailored to the Ontario setting using an intervention mapping approach .
Prognostic Factors for Duration of Sick Leave Due to Low-Back Pain in Dutch Health Care Professionals
Background : Information on prognostic factors for duration of sick leave  due to low-back pain ( LBP ) is growing . In this prospect i ve cohort study prognostic factors for duration of sick leave and course of disability were identified in a very early stage of sick leave due to LBP in an occupational health care setting . Methods : A total of 615 workers calling in sick from work due to LBP at an occupational health service ( OHS ) of one institution completed a question naire . Duration of follow-up was 26 weeks . Prognostic factors were identified by means of Cox regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis , and explained variance was calculated . Results : Median time to first return to work ( RTW ) was 5 days ( Inter Quartile Range ( IQR ) = 2–12 ) . Median time to lasting return to work ( LRTW ) was 6 days ( IQR = 3–13 ) . The final model for delayed RTW included self-reported  expected duration of sick-leave  , treatment by GP or specialist , care-seeking , diminished mobility , and the interaction between care-seeking and diminished mobility . The final model for LRTW included : self-reported expected duration of sick-leave  ,  treatment by GP or specialist  , care-seeking , the interaction between the self-reported  expected duration of sick-leave and seeking care at OHS , complaints due to job stress , diminished mobility , and the interactions between expected duration of more then 10 days and seeking OP care and diminished mobility . Median total days on sick leave ( TDSL ) was 6 days ( IQR = 3–13 days ) . The final model for TDSL included : age , expected duration of sick leave , treatment by GP or medical specialist , seeking OP care , complaints due to physical load , and diminished mobility . Explained variance ( R2 ) of these models ranged from 30 to 35 % . Conclusions : Poor prognosis for duration of sick leave can be identified by means of a simple question naire administered on the first day of sick leave . Workers at high risk for longer duration of sick leave ( all outcomes ) expected to stay off work longer , were already being treated by a MD , sought OP care , and had diminished mobility . In case of delayed LRTW workers reported job stress as a possible cause of sick leave . Interactions were found in both RTW and LRTW between care-seeking and diminished mobility and in LRTW between expected duration of sick leave and seeking OP care . Older age increased TDSL with borderline significance
The key features of the program include ; having trained personnel coordinate the RTW process , identifying and ranking barriers and solutions to RTW from the perspective of all important stakeholders , mediating practical solutions at the workplace and , empowering the injured worker in RTW decision-making .
Background Despite over 2 decades of research , the ability to prevent  work-related low back pain ( LBP ) and disability  remains elusive .
Recent research suggests that interventions that are focused at the workplace and incorporate the principals of participatory ergonomics and return-to-work ( RTW ) coordination can improve RTW and reduce disability following a work-related back injury .
Workplace interventions or programs to improve RTW  are difficult to design and implement given the various individuals and environments involved , each with their own unique circumstances .
Intervention mapping provides a framework for design ing and implementing complex interventions or programs .
The objective of this study is to design a best evidence RTW program for occupational LBP tailored to the Ontario setting using an intervention mapping approach .