Exploring the participant’s experiences of the Work Wise Initiative
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study exploring the experiences of patients with musculoskeletal conditions attending ’Work Wise’: a Physiotherapy led initiative to help people return or remain in work.
IRAS ID
265308
Contact name
Jenny Caunt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The study explores the experiences of patients with musculoskeletal conditions attending ’Work Wise’: a Physiotherapy led initiative in a Primary Care service to help people return or remain in work. Musculoskeletal conditions are the second biggest cause of absenteeism in the UK. The government has recognised the need for investment to gain a better understanding of how to support people with musculoskeletal conditions in work. In a primary healthcare setting work related issues are generally under addressed. The Work Wise initiative aims to improve work related advice and support to patients referred to the musculoskeletal primary care service who are aged 18-67, in employment and either absent from work or struggling to remain in work because of their musculoskeletal condition. The support and advice includes, a rapid access pathway for early access to physiotherapy assessment, website information pages containing work specific advice to promote self-management and comprehensive training for clinicians within the service, to enhance their ability to manage work challenges. The study is a qualitative design, using semi structured interviews and aims to explore musculoskeletal patient’s perspective and experiences of the initiative. The interviews will take place over a period of 12 weeks at the therapy department for the service. The results will be analysed using thematic analysis to give an understanding of the experiences of this type of initiative within a primary healthcare setting. The results will improve the understanding of the value of this type of initiative and help contribute to any service improvement around this initiative in the future.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0226
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion