TY - JOUR
T1 - Usability of self-reported assessment of work functioning in municipal occupational rehabilitation teams
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Momsen, Anne Mette Hedeager
AU - Tonnesen, Merete
AU - Zwicky-Hauschild, Birgitte
AU - Nielsen, Claus Vinther
AU - Escorpizo, Reuben
AU - Langagergaard, Vivian
AU - Stapelfeldt, Christina Malmose
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
2023 Momsen, Tonnesen, Zwicky-Hauschild, Nielsen, Escorpizo, Langagergaard and Stapelfeldt.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Aims: This study aimed to explore (1) whether self-reported assessment on work-related functioning, workability, return-to-work (RTW) self-efficacy, and expectation was useful in the professionals’ assessment of sick-listed workers and could guide referral to interventions and (2) whether self-reporting in addition to “usual practice” could improve the RTW dialog and involvement in case management. Methods: The qualitative study took place in two municipal job centers in 2021. The assessment was based on the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire, RTW-Self-efficacy Scale-19, and single items of self-rated health, workability, and RTW expectations. Sick-listed workers (n = 36) were interviewed by telephone. Three focus-group interviews were conducted with professionals who had used the questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. Results: Three themes with seven subthemes emerged: (1) accessibility; (2) one tool in the RTW toolbox (subthemes: a supplementary tool, a tool for reflection, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and enhancing active participation); and (3) the value of “ticking boxes” (subthemes: good days, bad days, the issue of power, and the cultural meaning of words). Conclusion: The professionals would not recommend the present questionnaire for use during their rehabilitation team meeting for assessment, interdisciplinary communication, or choice of interventions. However, using the parts assessing RTW self-efficacy and expectation combined with a dialog may be of value early in the RTW process. The self-reporting assessment tool was perceived to be meaningful to some sick-listed workers, as it provided reflections on important aspects of the RTW process. Some workers believed that it might contribute to the rehabilitation team, and thus, it could improve their involvement.
AB - Aims: This study aimed to explore (1) whether self-reported assessment on work-related functioning, workability, return-to-work (RTW) self-efficacy, and expectation was useful in the professionals’ assessment of sick-listed workers and could guide referral to interventions and (2) whether self-reporting in addition to “usual practice” could improve the RTW dialog and involvement in case management. Methods: The qualitative study took place in two municipal job centers in 2021. The assessment was based on the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire, RTW-Self-efficacy Scale-19, and single items of self-rated health, workability, and RTW expectations. Sick-listed workers (n = 36) were interviewed by telephone. Three focus-group interviews were conducted with professionals who had used the questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. Results: Three themes with seven subthemes emerged: (1) accessibility; (2) one tool in the RTW toolbox (subthemes: a supplementary tool, a tool for reflection, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and enhancing active participation); and (3) the value of “ticking boxes” (subthemes: good days, bad days, the issue of power, and the cultural meaning of words). Conclusion: The professionals would not recommend the present questionnaire for use during their rehabilitation team meeting for assessment, interdisciplinary communication, or choice of interventions. However, using the parts assessing RTW self-efficacy and expectation combined with a dialog may be of value early in the RTW process. The self-reporting assessment tool was perceived to be meaningful to some sick-listed workers, as it provided reflections on important aspects of the RTW process. Some workers believed that it might contribute to the rehabilitation team, and thus, it could improve their involvement.
KW - focus groups
KW - return to work
KW - sick leave
KW - social workers
KW - surveys and questionnaires
U2 - 10.3389/fresc.2022.971574
DO - 10.3389/fresc.2022.971574
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 36743835
AN - SCOPUS:85174968798
SN - 2673-6861
VL - 3
JO - Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
JF - Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
M1 - 971574
ER -