Assisting Employers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to Support Employees on Long-Term Sick-Leave: Development of a Web-Based SME Tool Using Intervention Mapping.
Donna C E Beerda, Frederieke G Schaafsma, Sietske J Tamminga and 3 others
PMID 40089654WHAT IT FOUND
A web-based tool to help Dutch small-business employers support employees on long-term sick-leave was developed and pilot-tested.
Pilot users found it clear and valuable, but the paper reports no evidence it improves employee satisfaction or return to work.
Key findings
01The SME tool is a web-based intervention for employers in small and medium-sized enterprises, built to help them support employees on long-term sick-leave through the return-to-work process.
02Needs assessment found SME employers commonly lack resources, HR expertise, and knowledge of legislation, and need help with communication and tailored support across five return-to-work phases.
03Pilot testing found the tool was perceived as clear, user-friendly and complete, and all participants recognized it as valuable for employers, but effectiveness has not yet been tested.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
No effectiveness outcomes were tested; pilot testing only reported usability and content feedback, so the tool cannot be said to improve employee satisfaction, employer support, or return to work. Participant numbers for interviews, focus groups and pilot testing are not reported, so it is unclear whose perspectives were represented or how complete the needs assessment was. The tool was developed for Dutch employers under Dutch sick-leave law and a required occupational physician role, so its practical fit may differ in other countries or health systems. Web-based delivery limits the tool to information, examples and checklists; it cannot provide personalized feedback, individual coaching, peer support, or direct help with financial problems and workplace conflicts. The paper reports only Intervention Mapping steps 1 to 4; adoption, implementation and evaluation steps are planned separately.
Declared interests
The paper reports funding from ZonMw. No other conflict-of-interest statement is provided.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat the pilot feedback as evidence that the SME tool improves employee satisfaction or return to work. This paper reports development and usability testing only, and effectiveness research is still needed.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →