1. |
- Borg, Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Prediction of future low levels of sickness absence among young persons sick listed with back, neck, or shoulder diagnoses.
- 2004
-
In: Work (Reading, Mass.). - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 23:2, s. 159-67
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In recent years sickness absence has increased in most Western countries. Risk factors for sickness absence and disability pension have been emphasised in studies, while focus on factors predicting low sickness absence is very rare. This paper is an attempt to apply such a perspective in an 11-year prospective cohort study of young persons n = 213) who in 1985 were sick listed > or = 28 days with back, neck, or shoulder diagnoses. Having had no sick-leave spells > 14 days in 1992-1996 was used as the outcome measure. Sixty-nine persons (34%) had no such spells, with an unexpected similar proportion of men and women. Data on prior sick leave and demographic variables were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. Factors that predicted low sickness absence were having prior low sickness absence, being a white-collar worker, and being married. We concluded that individuals with a history of low sickness absence have an increased odds for remaining in the work force after a single long sick-leave spell, and might need less attention in rehabilitation compared to persons with a history of high sickness absence. Focusing on low sickness absence led to different results than those discussed in previous studies on risk factors for disability pension.
|
|
2. |
- Klanghed Müssener, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
-
Positive encounters with rehabilitation professionals reported by persons with experience of sickness absence
- 2004
-
In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 22:3, s. 247-254
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- More knowledge is needed on different factors that can promote return to work among sick-listed persons. One such factor might be by their interactions with the rehabilitation professionals they encounter. The aim of the present study was to identify and analyze statements about positive encounters with rehabilitation staff, reported by persons who had been absent from work with back, neck, or shoulder diagnoses. A descriptive and explorative qualitative approach was used to analyze data from five focus-group interviews. There were few statements on positive encounters, and they were frequently attributed to sheer luck. Experiences of positive encounters were assigned to two major categories: respectful treatment and supportive treatment. Receiving adequate medical examination or treatment was also mentioned as being positive. Further efforts are needed to study and develop methods for investigating interactions with rehabilitation professionals that laypersons experience as positive and that may contribute to empowerment and influence return to work when sickness absent.
|
|
3. |
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
- Menckel, Ewa, et al.
(author)
-
Violence towards caregivers of persons with developmental disabilities.
- 2000
-
In: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 15:1, s. 3-8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Violent and disruptive acts committed by persons with developmental disabilities are a potential work environment problem for caregivers. This study developed and tested an instrument for describing and analyzing violence among persons with developmental disabilities. METHODS: Personnel from four units of one facility recorded daily on a simple form all violent and disruptive acts occurring in a limited range of situations. RESULTS: Acts of violence were associated with a small minority of individuals, but grossly underreported and unrecognized in formal reporting systems. None of the nearly 3000 incidents recorded during the six-week study required sick leave. Violent and disruptive acts occurred most often when an individual was requested to do something he or she did not want to do, when the individual was denied the opportunity to do something they did want to do and when waiting or under-stimulated. Personnel used the data in discussing countermeasures that could be integrated with the care and treatment of the individual. CONCLUSION: Hitting, kicking, pinching etc. of personnel are a work environment problem due to their high frequency and effects upon employee morale. The instrument and procedures can be used to reduce incidents of violence, which would improve the working environment of employees and assist persons with developmental disabilities as they move from institutional environments.
|
|
6. |
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- Rolander, Bo, 1948-, et al.
(author)
-
Experience of musculo-skeletal disorders,intensity of pain, and general conditions in work : The case of employees in non-private dental clinics in a county in southern Sweden.
- 2001
-
In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 17, s. 65-73
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: (1) To identify perceived musculo-skeletal disorders and intensity of pain among the employees in the nonprivate dental clinics; (2) To assess perceived psychosocial and physical work conditions on the localization and intensity of musculo-skeletal disorders and pain. Study design: A questionnaire, comprising four sections (demographic, self-reported psychosocial and physical work conditions, self-reported disorders from the musculo-skeletal system, self-reported intensity of pain on nine different localization on the body) was mailed to 391 employees. Of these, 338 reported musculo-skeletal disorders. In this latter group, 239 reported work as the cause. These employees completed the questionnaire. Results: The greatest amount of pain was reported for the cervico-brachial region. Among all participants, a response pattern was found where the physical work demands were very high, the psychosocial work demands fairly high, the work climate supportive, and the control over work moderate. At an occupational group level, theoretical inconsistencies were identified in terms of a lack of anticipated relationships, especially for the dentist groups. Conclusions: For a scientific and social purpose, more research, which identifies relationships between workrelated musculo-skeletal pain and dos-response [8], effortreward [16], and demand-control [12] aspects of the working conditions, is clearly needed.
|
|
9. |
- Sandqvist, Jan, et al.
(author)
-
Work functioning - a conceptual framework
- 2004
-
In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 23:2, s. 147-157
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adequate and reliable methods for evaluation of clients with work disabilities are crucial for both the individuals who are assessed and for society as a whole. Sound and precise work assessments are needed to guide clients to suitable interventions using a minimum of rehabilitation resources [31,46,51,68]. Occupational therapy literature contains evidence that work function assessments are complex and that there is confusion over work assessment concepts [30,31]. Therefore, further development and evaluation of adequate concepts and theoretical models within the area of work assessment is needed [68,74]. This article proposes a conceptual framework for different dimensions of work functioning and points out important factors for work assessment. The concepts proposed and defined in the article are: work functioning, work participation, work performance, and individual capacity.
|
|
10. |
- Sturesson, Marine, et al.
(author)
-
Life satisfaction in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 2000
-
In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 14:2, s. 77-82
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To examine the levels of life satisfaction for patients with chronic obstructive disease (COPD) and to explore the relationships between life satisfaction, lung function, walking distance test/exercise capacity and quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: The population comprised 91 patients with COPD, 28 patients with COPD using long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and a reference group (R) of 150 healthy individuals. Before the study, a number of the COPD patients had been tested with regard to spirometry, walking distance and quality of life using the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ). All subjects filled in an eight-item checklist on levels of life satisfaction. RESULTS: Significantly lower levels of satisfaction were reported by both patient groups than the R group for satisfaction with life as a whole and satisfaction derived from vocational/occupational situation, sexual life and ADL, and by the LTOT group, furthermore, also with family life. Only 10% of the patients were satisfied with their health. The LTOT group reported significantly lower levels of satisfaction than the COPD group for life as a whole, satisfaction with their vocational/occupational situation, leisure, ADL situation and their satisfaction with family life and partnership relation. Factor analyses demonstrated different patterns between the R group and the patient group. No correlation was found between satisfaction with life as a whole and lung function parameters whereas three of the CRQ dimensions; emotional function, fatigue and mastery correlateded significicantly with satisfaction with life as a whole and several of the domains. No relationships was found between satisfaction with life as a whole or any of the domains and the CRQ dimension dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: The low levels of satisfaction with life as a whole, in addition to low levels of satisfaction with several domains, indicate that the majority of the patients had not managed to cope successfully with the consequences of their impairment. More attention must, thus, be given to these patients in the rehabilitation work.
|
|