Implementing employability interventions for workers with health conditions: A systematic review

Health conditions are a major source of economic inactivity in working age adults. We conducted a systematic review of eight databases to identify factors that influence the implementation of effective interventions for workers with health conditions. We reviewed 55 separate studies of interventions to improve employment and/or health outcomes for workers or those seeking work. Findings were synthesized into evidence-statements (e.g., “Facilitating governance structures are associated with a) efforts at continuation and adaption of interventions and b) learning structures and activities”). The evidence-statements were synthesized into a theory of change to explain the level of implementation of interventions, employment, health, and work performance outcomes. The theory of change considers factors related to: the employing organization’s external and internal environment (e.g., labor market legislation), intervention management, intervention features, and a range of stakeholders (e.g., intervention recipients, line managers, health professionals). We identified gaps in the literature, including knowledge of how implementation factors relate to cost-effectiveness and knowledge on how interventions and organizations are adapted to fit with each other. This systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024591723).