Communicating with Employers: Experiences of Occupational Therapists Treating People with Musculoskeletal Conditions

Overview

Journal J Occup Rehabil

Publisher Springer

Specialties Occupational Medicine
Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2013 Sep 18

PMID 24043486

Citations 5

Authors

Carol Coole

Emily Birks

Paul J Watson

Avril Drummond

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Many employed people with musculoskeletal conditions rely on healthcare practitioners, including occupational therapists, for work-related advice and support. Good communication between healthcare practitioners and employers is considered vital in facilitating work retention and return to work. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of occupational therapists in communicating with patients' employers.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected from the responses of occupational therapists to ten statements/open questions in a questionnaire survey of UK occupational therapists. Data were copied verbatim into word documents and analysed thematically.

Results: A total of 649 comments were made by 143 respondents. Five themes were identified that were associated with communicating with employers: patient-dependent; employer-dependent; therapist-dependent; extrinsic factors; methods of communication.

Conclusion: This study has identified that communication between occupational therapists and employers is influenced by a number of factors, including those which are outside the therapists' control. These need to be acknowledged and addressed by therapists, their professional organisation, employers, commissioners, therapy service managers, educators and employees in order to support return-to-work and work retention of people with musculoskeletal conditions.

Citing Articles

Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace from the Perspective of Older Employees: A Mixed Methods Research Study.

Skamagki G, Carpenter C, King A, Wahlin C Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(15).

PMID: 35954704 PMC: 9367967. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159348.

First Contact Practitioners' (FCPs) and General Practitioners' Perceptions Towards FCPs Delivering Vocational Advice to Patients with Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Qualitative Investigation of the Implementation Potential of the I-SWAP Initiative.

Saunders B, Foster N, Hill J, Sowden G, Evans N, Bishop A J Occup Rehabil. 2021; 32(1):147-155.

PMID: 34241768 PMC: 8858917. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-021-09992-5.

Qualitative Evidence from Studies of Interventions Aimed at Return to Work and Staying at Work for Persons with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

Liedberg G, Bjork M, Dragioti E, Turesson C J Clin Med. 2021; 10(6).

PMID: 33802906 PMC: 8002835. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061247.

Application of the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Behaviour Change Wheel to Understand Physicians' Behaviors and Behavior Change in Using Temporary Work Modifications for Return to Work: A Qualitative Study.

Horppu R, Martimo K, MacEachen E, Lallukka T, Viikari-Juntura E J Occup Rehabil. 2017; 28(1):135-146.

PMID: 28391503 PMC: 5820403. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-017-9706-1.

Bridging Health Care and the Workplace: Formulation of a Return-to-Work Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients Using an Intervention Mapping Approach.

Desiron H, Crutzen R, Godderis L, Van Hoof E, de Rijk A J Occup Rehabil. 2016; 26(3):350-65.

PMID: 26728492 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-015-9620-3.

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