Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study
Background Given the growing digitalization of healthcare and society, it becomes crucial to explore whether digital interactions with healthcare professionals, such as coaching, can offer effective support and contribute to an improved return-to-work process and a sustainable work environment for i...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241300222 |
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| _version_ | 1846164289480556544 |
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| author | Vedrana Bolic Baric Gunilla Liedberg Hanna Lundell Mathilda Björk Christina Turesson |
| author_facet | Vedrana Bolic Baric Gunilla Liedberg Hanna Lundell Mathilda Björk Christina Turesson |
| author_sort | Vedrana Bolic Baric |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Given the growing digitalization of healthcare and society, it becomes crucial to explore whether digital interactions with healthcare professionals, such as coaching, can offer effective support and contribute to an improved return-to-work process and a sustainable work environment for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Aim To explore perceptions of digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods Three focus group interviews consisting of 14 people—11 women and three men (with a mean age of 48 years)—were conducted. All participants had a goal of returning to work and had completed an interprofessional rehabilitation program due to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Findings show that integrating a coach into digital tools could offer new opportunities for personalized guidance, support and feedback to individuals during the return-to-work process. The first theme emphasizes the importance of sustained support throughout the entire return-to-work process—from rehabilitation programs to workforce integration. The second theme outlines the specific tasks and functions expected from a digital coach, as perceived by the participants. Lastly, the third theme explores the envisioned future evolution of digital coaching in chronic musculoskeletal pain management. Conclusions Digital coaching offers promise in addressing challenges during the return-to-work process, acting as a bridge among stakeholders to ensure accessibility, continuity and coordination in rehabilitation and return-to-work efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0592e74c4ee4993ad8f801dac1db510 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-2076 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0592e74c4ee4993ad8f801dac1db5102024-11-18T10:03:36ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762024-11-011010.1177/20552076241300222Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group studyVedrana Bolic Baric0Gunilla Liedberg1Hanna Lundell2Mathilda Björk3Christina Turesson4 Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, , Linköping, Sweden Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, , Linköping, Sweden Rehabilitation Medicine, Nyköping Hospital, Nyköping, Sweden Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, , Linköping, Sweden Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, , Linköping, SwedenBackground Given the growing digitalization of healthcare and society, it becomes crucial to explore whether digital interactions with healthcare professionals, such as coaching, can offer effective support and contribute to an improved return-to-work process and a sustainable work environment for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Aim To explore perceptions of digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods Three focus group interviews consisting of 14 people—11 women and three men (with a mean age of 48 years)—were conducted. All participants had a goal of returning to work and had completed an interprofessional rehabilitation program due to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Findings show that integrating a coach into digital tools could offer new opportunities for personalized guidance, support and feedback to individuals during the return-to-work process. The first theme emphasizes the importance of sustained support throughout the entire return-to-work process—from rehabilitation programs to workforce integration. The second theme outlines the specific tasks and functions expected from a digital coach, as perceived by the participants. Lastly, the third theme explores the envisioned future evolution of digital coaching in chronic musculoskeletal pain management. Conclusions Digital coaching offers promise in addressing challenges during the return-to-work process, acting as a bridge among stakeholders to ensure accessibility, continuity and coordination in rehabilitation and return-to-work efforts.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241300222 |
| spellingShingle | Vedrana Bolic Baric Gunilla Liedberg Hanna Lundell Mathilda Björk Christina Turesson Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study Digital Health |
| title | Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study |
| title_full | Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study |
| title_fullStr | Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study |
| title_short | Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study |
| title_sort | digital coaching and its potential to support the return to work process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain a focus group study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241300222 |
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