SynthesisBMJ open2019
Influence of significant others on work participation of individuals with chronic diseases: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 37 citations in OpenAlex.
- Including significant others in vocational rehabilitation: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2026Pooled it
- Experiences of cancer survivors returning to work decision-making: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2025Pooled it
- A Mega-Ethnography of Qualitative Meta-Syntheses on Return to Work in People with Chronic Health Conditions.Die Rehabilitation · 2024Pooled it
- Socioeconomic Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients and Caregivers: A Canadian Cross-Sectional Study.CJC open · 2026Article
- Obstacles and facilitators of return to work among people with persistent pain who receive benefit payments: an in-depth interview study.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Interpersonal Processes in the Duration of Sick Leave of Workers with Chronic Diseases: A Dyadic Analysis.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Promoting labour market inclusion of the chronically ill: a scoping review of Scandinavian countries' efforts.Scandinavian journal of public health · 2023Article
- Improving person-centered occupational health care for workers with chronic health conditions: a feasibility study.BMC medical education · 2023Article
- The Associations Between Illness Perceptions and Expectations About Return to Work of Workers With Chronic Diseases and Their Significant Others: A Dyadic Analysis.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2023Article
- Competencies for Physiotherapists Working to Facilitate Rehabilitation, Work Participation and Return to Work for Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2022Article
- Associations between social integration, participation and productivity loss among persons with chronic pain: a registry based cross sectional study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2022Article
- Influence of social support on return to work after total hip or total knee arthroplasty: a prospective multicentre cohort study.BMJ open · 2022Article
- Returning to work after a sickness absence due to cancer: a cohort study of salaried workers in Catalonia (Spain).Scientific reports · 2021Article
- Beliefs About Return to Work Among Women During/After Long-Term Sick Leave for Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2021Article
- Determinants for the implementation of person-centered tools for workers with chronic health conditions: a mixed-method study using the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases checklist.BMC public health · 2021Article
- Content Validation of a Practice-Based Work Capacity Assessment Instrument Using ICF Core Sets.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2021Article
- Qualitative Evidence from Studies of Interventions Aimed at Return to Work and Staying at Work for Persons with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveIt is widely recognised that significant others (SOs), such as a partner, family member or friend, can influence health outcomes of individuals with a chronic disease. However, not much is known about which specific cognitions (ie, illness perceptions and expectation of work ability) and behaviours (eg, emotional and practical support) of SOs influence work participation. Therefore, we aimed to identify cognitions and behaviours of SOs that are related to work participation of individuals with a chronic disease.
designA systematic review and thematic synthesis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, SocINDEX and Web of Science were searched until 28 March 2017. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included studies reporting on cognitions and behaviours of SOs related to work participation in populations with various chronic diseases. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers extracted the data and performed a quality assessment using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies from the Effective Public Health Practice Project 2007 and a checklist for assessment of qualitative studies derived from the Cochrane Supplemental Handbook Guidance. Evidence was thematically synthesised.
resultsOut of 5168 articles, 18 were included (15 qualitative and 3 quantitative) of moderate to high quality. Studies were on cancer, chronic pain, brain injuries and mental health disorders. After thematic synthesis 27 factors could be distinguished. Consistent evidence was found that SOs' positive and encouraging attitudes regarding work participation, encouragement and motivating behaviour and open communication with patients are facilitators for work participation. Consistently reported barriers were SOs' positive attitudes towards sickness absence and advise, encouragement or pressure to refrain from work.
conclusionsOur findings show that several cognitions and behaviours of SOs can facilitate or hinder work participation of individuals with a chronic disease. Intervening on these factors by involving SOs in disability prevention and return to work intervention strategies may be beneficial. More prognostic studies are needed, as the current evidence is mostly based on qualitative studies.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.