Training GPs to improve their management of work-related problems: results of a cluster randomized controlled trial. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Kock, Cornelis A.; Lucassen, Peter L. B. J.; Bor, Hans; Knottnerus, J. André; Buijs, Peter C.; Steenbeek, Romy; Lagro-Janssen, Antoine L. M.
• Is Part Of: European journal of general practice. Volume 24:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 265
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Work-related problems -- general practitioners -- randomized controlled trial -- return-to-work self-efficacy -- educational training; Family medicine -- Periodicals; 362.172
• DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2018.1517153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1381-4788

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Paying attention to their patients' work and recognizing work-related problems is challenging for many general practitioners (GPs). Objectives: To assess the effect of training designed to improve the care for patients with work-related problems in general practice. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial among 32 Dutch GPs. GPs in the intervention group received five-hour training. GPs in the control group were not trained. Included patients (age 18–63, working ≥12 h per week) completed baseline questionnaires and follow-up questionnaires planned after one year. Primary outcome at patient level was patients' expectations about their ability to work, measured using the return-to-work self-efficacy scale (RTW-SE). Primary outcomes on GP level were their use of ICPC-code Z05 ('work-related problem') per 1000 working-age patients and percentage of the electronic medical files of working-age patients in which information about occupation had been recorded. Results: A total of 640 patients completed the baseline questionnaire and 281 the follow-up questionnaire. We found no statistically significant differences in patients' RTW-SE scores: intervention 4.6 (95%CI: 4.2–5.0); control 4.5 (95%CI: 4.1–4.9). Twenty-nine GPs provided data about the GP-level outcomes, which showed no statistically significant differences: use of ICPC code Z05 11.6 (95%CI: 4.7–18.6) versus 6.0 (95%CI: –1.2 to 13.2) per 1000 working-age patients; recording of occupation 28.8% (95%CI: 25.8–31.7) versus 28.6% (95%CI: 25.6–31.6). Conclusion: Training GPs did not improve patients' work-related self-efficacy or GPs' registration of work-related problems and occupation.