Control and experimental interventions
SECONDARY
Medical treatment as usual was provided to both groups. The control intervention consisted of the rehabilitation provided at the participating centers at the study start, which varied slightly in structure and content. Six centers offered inpatient stays of 3–4 weeks duration, while two hospital departments offered shorter stays of 2 weeks, either as an inpatient (center 7) or outpatient (center 4) rehabilitation.The BRIDGE-intervention was added to already existing rehabilitation and tailored to individual patients. The intervention was directed at improving the routines and communication skills of health professionals in secondary healthcare as regard goal setting, action planning, and psychological support, and at engaging and motivating patients to take an active role in pursuing their rehabilitation goals over time. Further, the intervention included telephone follow-up and help with connecting patients with required health- and social services, or other types of support, in their municipality of residence after rehabilitation discharge. Further, digital graphics based on self-reported outcomes were made available to the BRIDGE-intervention group (but not the control group), providing patient feedback on individual progression.To facilitate the implementation of the BRIDGE-intervention, two booklets were designed to support health professionals and patients, respectively, with suggestions and templates for structured communication about, and registration of goals, action plans, and follow-up, along with information, instructions, communication tools, and illustrative examples. A preparatory reflection task (“The shoe”) and a YouTube tutorial on rehabilitation goals were made available to the patients before goal-setting meetings with healthcare personnel. The study materials are available online at An overview of the BRIDGE-trial, with a description of how and when the BRIDGE-intervention was implemented in relation to the control condition and the patients’ rehabilitation course, is provided in 