Trial reportBMC public health2020
Sick-listed workers' experiences with motivational interviewing in the return to work process: a qualitative interview study.
Trial report in BMC public health, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT03212118 (Effects of Motivational Interviewing for Long-term Sick Absence), which is not on this map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis 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.
Effects of Motivational Interviewing for Long-term Sick Absence: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Mixed Methods
Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Research on Effective Return to Work Counseling for Individuals with Work Participation Restrictions - A Systematic Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2025Pooled it
- Effectiveness of 'motivational interviewing' on sick leave: a randomized controlled trial in a social insurance setting.Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health · 2023Trial
- Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Motivational Interviewing as a Return to Work Intervention in a Norwegian Social Insurance Setting: A Mixed Methods Process Evaluation.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2021Trial
- They paid attention to the whole of me in some way, both physically, mentally, and everything in between: a qualitative study of patients' experiences of interdisciplinary rehabilitation (PREVSAM) in primary care for musculoskeletal disorders.Scandinavian journal of primary health care · 2025Article
- Ethical challenges from a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement: a qualitative study among employees with common mental disorders, first-line managers, and rehabilitation coordinators.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2024Article
- Getting an outsider's perspective - sick-listed workers' experiences with early follow-up sessions in the return to work process: a qualitative interview study.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- Experiences of participating in a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement in Swedish primary health care: a qualitative study from rehabilitation coordinator's, employee's, and manager's perspectives.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Barriers, Facilitators and Experiences Linked to a Work-Related Case Management in Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorders.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Health, Work, and Family Strain - Psychosocial Experiences at the Early Stages of Long-Term Sickness Absence.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Article
- Complex return to work process - caseworkers' experiences of facilitating return to work for individuals on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders.BMC public health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundWhen returning to work after being on long-term sick leave, individuals may experience varying levels of motivation and self-efficacy. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a counseling style that aims to increase motivation towards change, and it may be useful in the return to work (RTW) process. The aim of this study was to explore sick-listed workers' experiences with MI in the RTW process.
methodsThis qualitative study was part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of MI on the RTW process, and it was administered by caseworkers at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration. Sixteen sick-listed individuals, aged 33-60, participated in semi-structured interviews. All had a sick leave status of 50-100% for at least 8 weeks when interviewed and all had completed 2 MI sessions. The data was analyzed with systematic text condensation.
resultsParticipants' experiences of the MI sessions were categorized into three themes: (1) relationship with the MI caseworker, (2) normalizing sick leave, and (3) adjusting RTW strategies. The MI sessions were experienced as a positive encounter due to the supportive relationship that was built between the MI caseworker and the sick-listed worker. Being sick listed led to feelings of guilt and stigmatization, but acceptance and support from the MI caseworkers helped normalize the situation for the sick-listed workers. Furthermore, MI sessions allowed for personalized feedback and discussions on adjustments to their RTW strategies.
conclusionSick-listed workers experienced MI as positive due to the good relationship that developed with the MI caseworker, how this normalized sick leave, and the help they received with adjusting their RTW strategies. Professionals working with individuals attempting to RTW may benefit from using MI as a method for helping sick-listed workers to RTW.
trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03212118 (registered July 11, 2017).
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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.