Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Aug 22, 2023
Date Accepted: Oct 25, 2023
Evaluating the Clinical Use and Utility of SWEPPE, a Digital Support App, for Employees with Chronic Pain Returning-to-Work: A Feasibility Study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
The digital application SWEPPE (Sustainable WorkEr, a digital support for Persons with chronic Pain and their Employers) was developed to improve the support of persons with chronic pain in their return-to-work process after sick-leave and includes functions as the action-plan, daily self-rating, self-monitoring graphs, the coach, the library, and shared information with the employer.
Objective:
The aim was to describe the utilization of the smartphone application SWEPPE among persons with chronic pain who have participated in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program.
Methods:
This is a case-study including sixteen persons participating in a feasibility study. The analyses were based on user data collected for three months. Quantitative data regarding used functions, were analysed with descriptive statistics, and qualitative data of identified needs of support from the employer were grouped into eight categories.
Results:
Self-monitoring was used by all participants (median 26 daily registrations, interquartile range 8-87). Eleven participants (69 %) set a work-related goal and performed weekly evaluations of goal fulfilment, and ratings of their work ability. Nine participants shared information with their employer, and two contacted the coach. Fifteen participants (94%) identified a total number of 51 support interventions wanted from their employer. Support to adapt work assignments and work posture were the two largest categories. The most common type of support identified by 53 % of the participants were opportunity to take breaks and short rests.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, participants utilized multiple SWEPPE functions, such as daily self-registration, goal setting, self-monitoring, and employer support identification. This shows the flexible nature of SWEPPE, enabling individuals to select functions that align with their needs. Additional research is required to investigate extended usage of SWEPPE and how employers utilize shared employee information.
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