Psychosocial working conditions and the subjective prognosis of gainful employment among employees with asthma: a cross-sectional study

Can an educational intervention in the context of inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation improve asthma self-management at work? A study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

“…Based on the assumption that the expected effects are observed, the patient education module could increase, amongst others, work ability, and social participation, improve return to work or staying at work, and reduce the number of sick days by improving asthma self-management as well as asthma control and asthma-related quality of life. Improving asthma self-management at work, but also asthma control and asthma-related quality of life [ 6 , 7 ], could reduce costs associated with, e.g., asthma-related disability and early retirement. Ultimately, a patient education module should be available that is not only applicable to rehabilitation patients with asthma, but could also be evaluated in outpatient settings (e.g., disease management programs) or adapted to other chronic conditions.…”

“…Self-management of asthma (e.g., trigger avoidance, respiratory physiotherapy techniques for shortness of breath or irritable cough, correct application of medication based on a written therapy and emergency plan, and communication about the disease) is an important component of therapy [ 1 – 3 ]. Qualitative and quantitative findings suggest that beneficial psychosocial working conditions are associated with better asthma self-management at work [ 4 , 5 ], but also with improved asthma control, asthma-related quality of life, and the subjective employment prognosis (including the personal assessment of the ability to continue working until retirement age, the risk to earning capacity and the intention to apply for a pension) [ 6 , 7 ]. Among the psychosocial working conditions relevant to asthma self-management, social support (from colleagues and superiors) [ 4 , 5 ] and decision latitude at work (i.e., the extent to which work tasks and working hours can be determined at one’s own discretion) represent key factors [ 4 ].…”

“…Self-management-related knowledge and self-efficacy along with other factors (see below) will represent the secondary outcomes. The potential improvement in asthma self-management at work and related improvement in asthma control, asthma-related quality of life, and the subjective employment prognosis (see above) [ 6 , 7 ] could then reduce the number of exacerbations and sick days (and also related costs). Therefore, we will also examine asthma control, asthma-related quality of life, the subjective employment prognosis, and the number of exacerbations and sick days as secondary outcomes.…”