Table 1 Description of the developed person-centered tools and accompanying trainings and e-learning training

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

A training was developed for OPs to guide organizations with creating a supportive work environment for workers with a chronic health condition, in order for these workers to exert self-control. In the training, OPs learn to become a process leader and guide organizations to apply the Participatory Approach (PA). The goal of the PA is to identify and prioritize existing problems within an organization and to identify and implement solutions for strengthening self-control of workers with a chronic health condition.

The education is offered in the form of a face-to-face training in two parts. The first training session is organized as a half-day educational program in which a combination of theory and practical application are taught to the OPs. The second meeting consisted of a peer review meeting in which experiences with applying the PA in practice were shared among OPs.

(2) Involving person-related factors (cognitions and perceptions) in occupational health care

Based on previously conducted research, a training was developed to teach both OPs and IPs how to involve the worker’s cognitions and perceptions in the occupational health management and work disability assessment of workers with a chronic health condition. The participants acquire knowledge of ten cognitions and perceptions identified as most important for work participation, learn how to obtain information on those cognitions and perceptions during consultation and learn how to intervene on limiting cognitions and perceptions. During the training a conversation tool is presented to the OPs and IPs to support the use of the acquired skills in daily practice.

The training program is organized as a half-day program with a duration of 4.5 h. The training consists of classical presentations and different practical individual and group exercises, including case learning. Eligible trainers are OPs and IPs with extensive experience in occupational health care.

(3) E-learning training “Training for Occupational health physicians To Involve Significant others”

The e-learning training “Training for Occupational health physicians To Involve Significant others” was developed to educate Ops and IPs on how they can best address the role of significant others and manage their involvement in the return-to-work process of sick-listed workers with chronic diseases.

The e-learning training was accompanied by a conversation tool, which included: (1) a reference book containing an overview of the key messages and practical advice from the e-learning training, (2) validated questionnaires with which OPs could gain insight into illness perceptions and coping of workers and their significant others, (3) a conversation leaflet that was developed to facilitate communication between workers and significant others, and (4) ten leaflets about different chronic diseases that were developed to promote adequate illness perceptions of workers and significant others.

The e-learning training can be followed at the participants’ own pace and consists of five parts focused on delivering essential knowledge with regard to involving significant others and translating that knowledge into practical skills. The first four parts included interactive components, such as videos or vignettes in combination with multiple-choice questions. The fifth part consisted of a summary of key messages and best-practice recommendations from the first four parts. Participants could access the e-learning training and download the accompanying conversation tool in an online learning environment to which they had unlimited access.