BackToWork: Returning to work after severe mental health problems among mental health professionals

This preregistered qualitative study explores how mental health professionals experience returning to work after a severe mental health problem. Focusing on professionals working in psychiatry services, the study aims to document return-to-work trajectories, perceived barriers and facilitators, disclosure dilemmas, workplace relationships, and organizational arrangements. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted and analyzed using the IPSE method (Inductive Process to Structure the Experience), an inductive qualitative approach designed to produce clinically, and socially meaningful knowledge grounded in participants’ experiences. In addition to individual interviews, the study will include focus groups with occupational physicians to explore their perspectives on return-to-work processes following severe mental health problems. The preregistration enhances transparency regarding study aims, methods, analytic approach, and ethical safeguards, while acknowledging the iterative nature of qualitative research.