Rehabilitation Coordinators Seen as Addressing Vocational Rehabilitation Gaps in Psychiatric Care: Views of Healthcare Professionals in a Swedish Qualitative Study

A qualitative descriptive study exploring healthcare professionals’ views and experiences regarding access to a rehabilitation coordinator (RC) in psychiatric care identified two main themes: “A specific function that improves the ability to focus on and support vocational rehabilitation” and “Uncertainty and confusion regarding roles and contributions within vocational rehabilitation.” The study, conducted in Sweden, involved individual semi-structured interviews with 12 healthcare professionals (HCPs) in psychiatric care. The research aimed to explore HCP views and experiences concerning the introduction of RCs into psychiatric services, which were implemented to streamline sick leave and rehabilitation processes and promote patients’ return-to-work (RTW) or entry into work.

The introduction of RCs was viewed positively by the HCP participants, as the role enhanced the possibilities to focus on and offer patients coordination and vocational rehabilitation (VR) efforts. The RC was seen as a valuable resource because it addressed a gap in psychiatric healthcare units by providing in-depth knowledge of VR. Specifically, the RC contributed to better working situations for HCP by sharing knowledge, taking responsibility for, and coordinating the patients’ VR process. HCP participants felt that they lacked both the time and the knowledge necessary to manage these complex tasks within their current work situation.

However, the introduction of the RC also generated uncertainty and confusion, particularly regarding the RC function and the specific roles of HCP within VR. While the functional benefits of the RC were acknowledged, the implementation brought about ambiguity concerning the precise delineation of responsibilities between the RC and the existing HCP team.

The study concluded that the RC’s focus and in-depth knowledge of VR addressed a gap within psychiatric healthcare units, contributing to more extensive support in patients’ VR processes and improving the working environment for HCP. To minimize inequalities in patient care and support the implementation of the RC function within psychiatric care, the findings emphasize that it is essential to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both RCs and HCP in patients’ VR processes. This systemic clarification is necessary to fully leverage the RC function and support its sustainable implementation across various care units, with potential to guide implementation beyond psychiatric care.

Subject of Research: The implementation and impact of rehabilitation coordinators in psychiatric healthcare on patient vocational outcomes and professional workflows.

Article Title: Exploring healthcare professionals’ views and experiences of having access to a rehabilitation coordinator in their work in psychiatric care: a qualitative descriptive study

Article References: Andersén, Å., Carpentsier, B., Carlsson, M., Berglund, E., Anderzén, I., & Larsson, K. (2026). Exploring healthcare professionals’ views and experiences of having access to a rehabilitation coordinator in their work in psychiatric care: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Health Services Research, 26(1), Article 1478. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15919-8

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-026-15919-8

Keywords: Rehabilitation Coordinator, Psychiatric Care, Vocational Rehabilitation, Healthcare Systems, Qualitative Research, Workforce Wellbeing, Patient Outcomes, Healthcare Coordination, Exploring, healthcare, professionals, views