Patient experiences of a work and health intervention for MSK health

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Patient experiences of a musculoskeletal work and health service to support return to work

• IRAS ID

  364772

• Contact name

  Gareth Whelan

• Contact email

  gareth.whelan@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS FT

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Why?
  Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems such as back, joint and muscle pain affect around one in three people in the UK and are a leading cause of work absence. Each year, millions of working days are lost due to MSK ill health, which can impact people’s physical and mental wellbeing and place a major cost on society. The NHS recognises that supporting people to remain in or return to work is an important part of improving health outcomes. This study aims to explore how patients experience a new Work and Health service that supports people with MSK conditions to return to work or reduce their risk of long-term sickness absence.

  What?
  The research focuses on understanding people’s experiences of being referred to and receiving care within this new Work and Health service. The service provides early access to physiotherapy, social prescribing and health coaching. The study will explore how acceptable and helpful participants find this approach and what difference it makes to their recovery and ability to work.

  Who?
  Adults aged 16 and over who have been referred to the MSK Work and Health service, and who are either off work or at risk of absence due to an MSK condition, will be invited to take part.

  Where?
  The study will recruit participants from the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s community MSK services, across York, Selby, and South Hambleton and Ryedale.

  How?
  This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews conducted by phone or Microsoft Teams. Each interview will last around 30–45 minutes. Up to 25 participants will be included. Interviews will be anonymised and analysed to identify key themes.

• REC name

  London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/PR/1596

• Date of REC Opinion

  12 Dec 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion