A qualitative evaluation of occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis : perspectives of therapists and their line managers

Prior, Y; Amanna, EA; Bodell, SJ; Hammond, A

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis and work problems was piloted in five hospitals in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study explored the views of participating occupational therapists and their line managers about the work rehabilitation training received and conducting the intervention, with particular
focus on the structured interview used, the Work Experience Survey – Rheumatic Conditions.
Method: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapists (n¼9), followed by telephone interviews with their line managers (n¼2). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed by three researchers to maximize validity.
Results: The main themes emerging from the occupational therapists’ interviews were: varying levels of prior knowledge and experience of work rehabilitation, initial concerns about the feasibility of a lengthy work assessment in practice and increased confidence in delivering work rehabilitation as the study progressed. The line managers’ interviews generated themes around the
positive impact of the work rehabilitation training the occupational therapists received, and changes in their practice.
Conclusion: The Work Experience Survey – Rheumatic Conditions was considered a good choice of work assessment which can be
implemented in practice. Once therapists had provided the work intervention several times, their confidence and skills increased

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 23, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jun 12, 2015
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 13, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 6, 2019
• Journal: British Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0308-0226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-6006
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 467-474
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022615581312
• Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Work disability, Work assessment, Vocational rehabilitation, Work rehabilitation, Rheumatology
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0308022615581312
• Related Public URLs: http://bjo.sagepub.com/content/78/8/467.full.pdf+html
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Originally titled "A qualitative evaluation of occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for people with rheumatoid arthritis : occupational therapists’ perspectives"; Projects : Work Rehabilitation in Inflammatory Arthritis. Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of