The role of healthcare providers in return to work and stay at work services for people with mid-career disabilities: A holistic statewide model

<b>Background:</b> It is well known that effective return to work (RTW) services following the onset of adventitious disability require the collective involvement of vocational case managers, employers, healthcare providers, and workers themselves. <b>Method:</b> We describe RETAIN Kentucky's approach to engaging healthcare providers as key motivators and facilitators of their patients' RTW efforts. <b>Results:</b> A cursive review of best practices in integrated disability management is followed by a description of RETAIN Kentucky's broad-based efforts to engage healthcare professionals in all aspects of the RTW process. Ninety-two percent of RETAIN Kentucky participants who complete their RTW plans are employed when they exit the interdisciplinary project. <b>Implications and Conclusions:</b> Implications for collaborating with healthcare systems and providers are presented.