MANAGE AT WORK: Addressing the Challenge of Chronic Physical Health Conditions in the Workplace

This intervention consists of multiple group workshop sessions (10 hours total) led by a specially trained facilitator and provided over a span of approximately 2-3 months. The intervention incorporates standard elements of existing evidence-based pain and illness self-management efforts, but tailoring key messages and discussion elements to apply to workplace problems most relevant to workers with chronic medical conditions. Each session is focused on different self-management strategies, with each session containing a mix of facilitator presentation, group discussion, case illustrations, role-play, completion of in-session self-assessments and activities, and brief homework assignments. Approximately equal time is allocated to the topics of improving comfort, modifying work, communicating effectively, applying systematic problem-solving strategies, and dealing with negative thoughts and emotions.