Influencing factors of a holistic diagnostic to promote work ability. A focus group study

Abstract

Introduction: The rehapro-pilot project GIBI (Ganzheitliche Klärung des Interventionsbedarfs bei gefährdeter beruflicher Integration; funding: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales) is a holistic approach to assess health-related work restrictions and combines rehabilitative medical and occupational health expertise. The aim of this study is to supplement data of the observational study by identifying factors that promote and hinder the implementation of the intervention or cooperation with occupational physicians. Methods: The observational study, which is followed by the focus group study, is registered in the German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS00024522). For data collection, three guided online focus groups were conducted with study coordinators responsible for GIBI, medical professionals, and therapeutic staff of the participating rehabilitation facilities. The data were anonymized, transcribed, and evaluated according to the principles of qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. Categories were formed inductively. Results: Data from three focus groups with a total of 13 people were considered for analysis (Aukrug: n = 5; Hamburg: n = 4; Rostock: n = 4). In the focus groups, the interdisciplinary approach and early availability were identified as facilitating factors, while a high implementation effort and a lack of trust in occupational physicians as well as a shortage of time resources were identified as hindering factors in the implementation of the intervention. The transmission of final reports to occupational physicians was also identified as a facilitating factor for cooperation with occupational physicians, while difficulties in establishing personal contact and the shortage of time resources of occupational physicians were identified as hindering factors for cooperation. Conclusion: Interdisciplinary cooperation in the diagnostic process and organizational issues, such as the exchange of reports between the rehabilitation center and occupational physicians, should be guaranteed to ensure successful implementation.