Employability and intention to apply for rehabilitation in people with back pain: A cross-sectional cohort study

David Fauser*, Nadine Schmitt, André Golla, Julia Marie Zimmer, Wilfried Mau, Matthias Bethge

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the association between self-reported prognosis of employability and health-related measures, and to clarify which determinants influence the intention to apply for medical rehabilitation. Design: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of German employees. Participants: A total of 6,654 participants (58% female) aged 45–59 years with back pain during the last 3 months. Results: Out of a total of 6,654 persons, 4,838 had a positive self-reported prognosis of employability. Persons with positive and negative prognoses clearly differ with regard to health-related measures. Of 1,816 persons who reported a negative prognosis, 26% stated an intention to apply for rehabilitation. Intention was determined mainly by perceived social support from family and friends (odds ratio (OR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.66–2.10), as well as physicians and therapists (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.41–1.90). Conclusion: A negative self-reported prognosis of employability is associated with self-reported health restrictions that may determine the need for rehabilitation interventions. A considerable proportion of persons with self-reported health restrictions do not plan to use medical rehabilitation. Perceived social support is an important facilitator of intention to apply for rehabilitation. However, this study needs to be replicated in other populations combining self-reported and administrative data.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2767
JournalJournal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume52
Issue number11
ISSN1650-1977
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11.2020

Research Areas and Centers

  • Research Area: Center for Population Medicine and Public Health (ZBV)

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