Opening new doors: a realist review on return to work with a new employer for sick-listed employees.

Abstract

There is a lack of knowledge about reemployment for long-term sick-listed employees when returning to a previous job is not feasible. This study aims to understand the mechanisms and contextual factors that facilitate or hinder return to work with a new employer (RTW-NE) for sick-listed employees. We conducted a realist review of peer-reviewed studies and gray literature from six databases. Data were extracted and synthesized to identify factors and to create context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations to develop an explanatory framework, based on the Integrated Behavior Model and Stages of Change. 1,584 records were identified, 28 records met the inclusion criteria and methodological rigor. 12 CMO configurations were divided into seven themes explaining the RTW-NE trajectory and are presented in an integrated model explaining the RTW-NE trajectory. An RTW-NE trajectory seems to take more time than a regular RTW trajectory due to various contextual factors such as concurrent life events and false RTW expectations. The motivation for deciding to take the RTW-NE trajectory requires acceptance: closing one door and opening another. The employee's self-efficacy, mental preparation, practical preparation and skill development seem interdependent and thus increasing self-efficacy and skills seems a continuous cyclic process.