Rehabilitation Science

How can we improve health and well-being in our workplaces? And why are so many people on sick leave from work? Is it due to poor health, poor morale, an overly stressful working life or because the puzzle of life simply does not fit together?

Rehabilitation science is about how working life and society can be adapted and the individual equipped so that health is promoted, ill health is prevented and that those who are still affected by illness or injury receive a well-functioning rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation science as a field of study is important in several ways. For the individual, work and inclusion in working life are central, both socially and economically. Poor work environment, ill health and sick leave also cause major problems for companies and society at large. Both education and research in rehabilitation science are about how working conditions and health can be improved and how ill health can be prevented, as well as how to create effective vocational rehabilitation for those who, for various reasons, are outside the labour market.
Issues related to health and rehabilitation in working life are complex and require knowledge in several different areas, and rehabilitation science is therefore a multidisciplinary subject with elements of sociology, psychology, public health, law and medicine.

We conduct research and education in rehabilitation science in collaboration with national and international researchers and stakeholders from, among others, Mid Sweden University, regional actors, various authorities and universities in the Nordic countries, Australia, Canada and India.

Our educational offering consists of two educational programs; one Bachelor's programme, the Programme for Health and Rehabilitation in Working Life, 180 credits, and one programme at advanced level, Master's Programme – Work Environment Strategist, 60 credits.
The Bachelor's programme is conducted remotely but with meetings in Sundsvall and Östersund and the Master's programme is conducted remotely without meetings. After completing the programme, you can work in companies and organisations – public or private – with issues related to occupational health and rehabilitation. We also offer some freestanding courses in the subject.

Research in rehabilitation science revolves around factors that lead to good health, a sustainable working life and increased chances of returning to work after sick leave and unemployment. In a health-promoting working life, the emphasis is on factors, methods and models that create the conditions for employees' health. Vocational rehabilitation is about how individuals who are outside the labour market can be stimulated to return to work in the most effective way possible. A significant part of the research analyses differences in health and rehabilitation between men and women, those with high and low education, Swedish and foreign born persons, and between people in different positions in working life.

If you are interested in our education and/or our research, you are welcome to contact us who work in rehabilitation science!