چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:Work and being able to work are important prerequisites for health and well being. Health problems
can have a negative influence on the ability to work and not being able to work can be detrimental for patients’
psychosocial well being. Although GPs are aware of this importance they do not always structurally pay attention
to patients’ work during their daily practice.
Methods/design:To investigate whether GPs can be trained to increase their awareness of work and improve their
skills when dealing with work related problems we designed a cluster randomised controlled trial. The intervention
in this trial is a tailored training based on the findings of qualitative research with focus groups of GPs. Gender
aspects received specific attention in these focus groups. Primary outcome measures are self efficacy of patients
concerning return to work, and GPs’ use of ICPC code Z05 (work problems) and registration of patients’ occupation.
Secondary outcome measures are work awareness of GPs as perceived by patients, quality of life, health, use of care
and illness related costs. A process evaluation will be part of our study.
Discussion:We investigate a training to increase work awareness among GPs, improve their skills in managing
work related problems and structurally register work related data in the EMR. We think this study will make a
contribution to better health care for workers by motivating GPs to appreciate their specific needs. It will also add
to our knowledge of the complex relationship between gender, work and health.
Trial registration:Trial registration number: NTR3475