Chronic diseases and solutions for work participation

This research will be conducted in collaboration with Erasmus MC Public Health, by Rogier van Rijn, Haitze de Vries, Lex Burdorf, Sandra Brouwer.

Duration of project:  February 1, 2013 – August 1, 2014.

Scientific research has improved our knowledge of determinants of sustainable work participation of specific diagnose groups, such as workers with rheumatic arthritis, diabetes mellitus, COPD and asthma, musculoskeletal diseases, mental diseases, cancer and other vulnerable groups such as older workers with chronic disorders. In the increasing of the sustainable employability of workers with chronic diseases, an important challenge is to make knowledge applicable and accessible for practical use by professionals in the field of occupational health.

Purpose: Purpose of the research project is to investigate the consequences of chronic diseases for social- and work participation, and to make this knowledge available in the context of the professionalization of labor experts.

Methods: Systematic review of the literature, expert meetings and invitational conferences, a survey among labor experts.

Results: The project will produce a summary of existing knowledge and initiatives on chronic diseases and labor, which will be made available in a convenient way by a library for labor experts. In addition, a ranking of the chronic diseases will be drawn to the degree of obstruction of labor. Finally, a methodological action framework will be developed which is processed in a guideline or other public supporting product for labor experts.