Table 1 Key guidelines-related physician behaviours

Diagnosing and treating pain

Conducting anamnesis and clinical examination and providing a diagnosis of a specific pathology or non-specific low back pain, elbow pain or shoulder pain

Using comprehensive tools for pain treatment, especially non-pharmacological tools

Referring to evidence-based adjunct treatments (such as physiotherapy) or specialists

Detecting high-risk disability cases (occupational physicians)

Assessing work disability and need for sick leave

Using evidence-based methods in work disability assessment

Taking into account the complexity of pain and work disability, e.g., physical and mental risks at work and personal life

Using alternatives to full-time sick leave

Prescribing sick leave if absence from work is required for recovery

Using alternatives to full-time sick leave early on (e.g., compensatory work, part-time sick leave, work modifications)

Advising patients with pain

Enhancing patients’ understanding of pain and its mechanisms, treatment options, and the benefits of remaining active and staying at work