This article reports on a pilot project for the rehabilitation of workers with RSI/WRMD which has been carried out at the Reference Center for Workers Health in Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil (Cerest-Piracicaba), since 2007, by remodeling of the framework for workers' healthcare and surveillance, the characterization of its most fundamental aspects, and the intervention rationale. It describes the different phases of the program developed by an interdisciplinary team, the methodology employed, the theoretical principles that supported the assessment of the problem-situation and the achievement of desired aims. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained so far were analyzed in the light of facilitating strategic elements as well as of interest articulations that prevented workers to participate in the program and to return to work after being rehabilitated. The article ends by showing the learned lessons and presenting some proposals that may contribute to a more efficient public policy on professional rehabilitation.
occupational rehabilitation; RSI; surveillance
