Table 1 Description of the CCP tools

1) Strengthening self-control of workers with chronic health conditions

Using the Intervention Mapping methodology, a tool was developed for occupational physicians to guide organizations to be supportive for workers with a chronic health condition in increasing their self-control. The tool consists of three parts: a training phase, an application phase and a feedback phase.

In the training, occupational physicians were trained as process leaders to help organizations apply the participatory approach at an organizational level. The participatory approach is a stepwise process in which the organization identifies and prioritizes problems and solutions with regards to supporting workers with chronic health conditions in increasing their self-control. A key element of the participatory approach is the involvement of stakeholders throughout the process, such as managers, HR managers and workers with a chronic health condition. The outcome of the participatory approach is an action plan consisting of different interventions that is embedded in organizational policy, and leads to adaptation of the work environment so that problems related to the workplace can be discussed and work-related consequences of chronic health conditions can be prevented as much as possible. In the application phase, occupational physicians applied their new skills in an organization, and in the feedback phase, meetings were organized in which occupational physicians can exchange their experiences with applying their new skills.

2) Involving person-related factors (cognitions and perceptions) in the occupational health management and work disability assessment

The goal of this training is to teach occupational health professionals (e.g. occupational and insurance physicians) how to involve the worker’s cognitions and perceptions in occupational health management and work disability assessment of workers with a chronic health condition. During the training participants acquire knowledge of 10 cognitions and perceptions important for work participation, how to obtain information concerning these person-related factors, the course of the conversation on these factors and intervening on limiting cognitions and perceptions when necessary. The participants receive a conversation tool which can help them to apply the acquired skills during the training in practice. The information provided during the training, is based on four previously conducted studies; a systematic review about important cognitions and perceptions for work participation, a survey study among physicians and a focus group study among workers with chronic health problems about how to obtain information concerning cognitions and perceptions and a scoping review on interventions. The training has a duration of 4.5 h and includes classical presentations and different exercises to practice with the acquired skills.

3) Involving significant others in the work re-integration process of workers with a chronic disease

Workers with a chronic health condition may be better supported in their recovery and work re-integration when their significant others such as a partner, family members or friends are more involved in the re-integration process. Using an e-learning approach, occupational and insurance physicians learn how they can obtain insight in the influence of significant others and involve them in the re-integration process to better support the worker in recovery and re-integration. The content of the e-learning was in part based on the results of previous studies that sought to gain insight in relevant cognitive-behavioral factors of significant others [16], OHPs’ current practices [10] and stakeholders’ views on involving significant in occupational health care. In addition, content was based on additional research on current practices with regard to involving significant others in related fields and available literature on the topics addressed within the e-learning. The e-learning is accompanied by a conversation tool, consisting of: (1) a document with an overview of the key messages and best-practice recommendations from the e-learning, (2) validated questionnaires and open questions that physicians can use to obtain insight in illness perceptions and coping of workers and their significant others, (3) informational folders to facilitate adaptive illness perceptions, and (4) a flyer to facilitate communication and dyadic coping.