This article presents the formulation and adoption of the "Programa de Retorno ao Trabalho" (Return to Work Program - PRT), still in a pilot project stage, as part of Cesat/Bahia (Occupational Health Reference Center of the state of Bahia, Brazil) Rehabilitation Program for workers with RSI/WMSD. This experience has fostered debates and changes within the occupational health field in the state of Bahia, involving several agents engaged with workers' rehabilitation. The paper introduces the Cesat Rehabilitation Work Group, its constitution, composition, and operational characteristics, as well as paths followed and choices made aiming the integration of surveillance and healthcare actions in PRT since 2007. It describes all the stages of the program, the role of each agent involved, methods and instruments used, and the expected results. It emphasizes the use of ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) as a resource to give visibility to the biopsychosocial demands of workers' health/disease process. The formulation of PRT has promoted the theoretical development of the technical group and strengthened the institutional interactions needed to establish a statewide Workers' Rehabilitation Program. It has also contributed to the development of more integrative actions in order to face the complex problems concerning workers' rehabilitation in the National Network for Comprehensive Workers Healthcare (Renast) within the National Health System (SUS).
workers' rehabilitation; return to work program; functioning; ICF; RSI
