PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a self-management program for workers with a chronic disease. This program is based on the chronic disease self-management program of Stanford University, modified for workers with a chronic somatic disease. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of a self-management program was evaluated. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 57) and the control group (n = 47). The experimental group received an intervention, the control group received care as usual. Primary outcome measures were self-efficacy at work and the attitude towards self-management at work. Secondary outcomes were the SF-12 health survey questionnaire, job satisfaction and intention to change job. The results were measured at baseline, after the intervention and 8 months after the intervention. RESULTS: The attitude towards self-management at work (enjoyment) improved after 8 months for the intervention group (p = 0.030). No other outcome variable differed significantly. As an interaction effect, it was found that low educated workers developed a better physical health quality (SF-12) in the intervention group compared with the control group. The attitude towards self-management at work (importance) improved in the intervention group for older and female workers and the attitude toward enjoying self-management at work improved for female workers only. CONCLUSION The results show that low educated workers, older workers and women benefit significantly more from the training than higher educated workers, younger workers and men.

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