**4. Discussion**

#### *4.1. Interpretation of Results in Relation to the Effectiveness of the Return to Work Program*

The findings of our study highlight the potential benefits of the return to work program for disabled workers during the pandemic. Our analysis found that workers who participated in the program had significantly higher scores in the measures of quality of life and work ability compared to those who did not participate. There may have been a difference between the participants and non-participants in the RTW program in terms of the severity of their impairments and their motivation to work. It is possible that the participants in the RTW program had less severe injuries or were more motivated to return to work than those who did not participate. This could potentially influence the outcomes of the program and must be taken into account when evaluating the results. This suggests that the RTW program was effective in supporting disabled workers to return to work and maintain their ability to work during the pandemic.

We also observed that the participants who had been out of work for a longer period of time were more likely to prefer the RTW program compared to those who had only been out of work for a shorter period. This may indicate that the longer an individual is out of work, the more likely they are to seek support and resources through the RTW program to return to work. However, it is important to note that there were also a significant number of participants who preferred not to engage in the RTW program, regardless of their working period.

In terms of quality of life, our study found that physical health, psychological health, and environmental health were significantly better among workers who preferred to participate in the RTW program compared to those who preferred not to. This suggests that the RTW program was successful in improving the physical and psychological health outcomes for participants. However, we did not find a significant difference in the domain of social bonds between those who preferred to participate in the RTW program and those who preferred not to participate. This could be due to the fact that the RTW program was focused on supporting individuals to return to work and did not specifically address social connections.

Finally, it is widely believed that participating in return to work programs can have an association with physical health, which is a key component of work ability. RTW programs can support workers in their recovery from injuries or illnesses and promote physical activity and well-being. This study supports these beliefs, as workers who participated in the RTW program tended to have better physical health outcomes compared to those who did not participate.
