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01-03-2019

“Apping Up”: Prospects for Information Technology Innovation in Return to Work Communication

Authors: Ripdaman Singh, Fergal O’Hagan

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Purpose During return to work (RTW), communication between health care providers and employers largely takes place through standardize paper-based forms. Information technology (IT) platforms may provide advantages in enabling information exchange and decision-making through sharing of guidelines and resources. We investigated stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of IT use for RTW communication in Ontario, Canada. Methods Consistent with the exploratory nature of the questions, qualitative methods were used. Primary data were interviews with health care providers (HCPs), employers, and workers with experience in RTW. The first portion of initial interviews elicited general perspectives and experiences related to RTW communication. Participants were then exposed to a prototype IT communication platform and elicited their feedback. Follow-up interviews with HCP’s and EMP’s were used to allow further reflection and clarification of data. We used progressive, thematic coding to analyze data. Results 12 HCPs, 7 employers, and 5 workers participated in the study. Five inter-related themes were obtained. Participants expressed no absolute objection to the use of IT for RTW communication but varying degrees of support. Participants revealed how media change depended on a prospective IT innovation’s perceived usefulness, fit with current practices, capacity to gain buy-in from other stakeholders, and ability to demonstrate positive performance in actual practice. Conclusions Findings suggest that a transition to an IT-mediated tool for RTW communication is supported in principle; however, major caveats exist in relation to perceived value and fit with stakeholder practice. System support and stakeholder cooperation are likely necessary to adopt the change, yet IT-mediated communication has yet to demonstrate value. To avoid circularity, proof of principal needs to be established through an implementation trial of such technology.

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Readers can consult https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97w16 for further information regarding the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act; http://www.wsib.on.ca/cs/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=WSIB012218&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased for further information regarding WSIB Program of Care requirements; and https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h19 for further information on the Ontario Human Rights Code.

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Title: “Apping Up”: Prospects for Information Technology Innovation in Return to Work Communication
Authors: Ripdaman Singh
Fergal O’Hagan
Publication date: 01-03-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-018-9768-8

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“Apping Up”: Prospects for Information Technology Innovation in Return to Work Communication

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