How do physiotherapists perceive their role in work ability assessments? A prospective focus group study

Abstract

Background: Work ability and work ability assessments have become important both in health care and in relation to granting sick leave. There are different interpretations of work ability among the different professionals involved, and there is no consensus on how work ability should be assessed. Aim: The aim was to analyse how a group of experienced and specially trained physiotherapists (PTs) in primary health care (PHC) perceived their professional role in work ability assessments during 14 months. Methods: We conducted a prospective focus group study and applied qualitative content analysis to the data. Findings: There was a need to emphasise the PTs' role both within PHC and also in relation to others involved. The PHC organisation was not really prepared to direct work-disabled patients to PTs before physicians. In addition, the PTs themselves needed to reorganise to better meet the requirements. The PTs underlined the advantage of their frequent and extended meetings with patients. This made it possible to assess, follow and facilitate work ability and to determine patients' resources. The PTs believed that they could contribute to structured assessments, which was positive for themselves and also in their communication with physicians and patients. The PTs later took more initiatives in work ability questions and believed that they could be responsible for work ability assessments to a greater extent. They found it most valuable to have had the opportunity to reflect on work ability, while working in the focus groups, and also to have been the subjects for further education. This made them more prepared to handle work ability questions when compared with other colleagues.

Early workplace dialogue in physiotherapy practice improved work ability at 1-year follow-up—WorkUp, a randomised controlled trial in primary care

“…It was a new challenge for the physiotherapists to have contact with employers to discuss patients' needs for workplace action. 46 However, the implementation of CDM worked well at the majority of units with minor exceptions. In cluster trials, a potential problem is selection bias if inclusion is systematically different in intervention and control arms.…”

Healthcare encounters and return to work: a qualitative study on sick-listed patients’ experiences

“…The framework in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is based on a biopsychosocial model. Healthcare professionals' use of the different components in the ICF may contribute to a more informative description of limitations on the patients' ability to work (Stigmar et al, 2013). Some of the participants in our study expressed satisfaction with, or a need for, a more holistic methodology in the healthcare encounters.…”

“…The feeling of being thoroughly assessed and receiving enough time-space seems to strengthen trust. Previous studies have indicated that other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists also have knowledge that can supply the assessments that describe the extent and limitations of the person's ability to work (Stigmar et al, 2013;Sturesson et al, 2013).…”

Patients’ experience of a workplace dialogue in physiotherapy practice in primary care: an interview study

“…The PTs working in primary care in Sweden are often first-line treatment for patients seeking care through open access for musculoskeletal disorders. They often have contact with the patient during a period of time and have therefore adequate knowledge concerning the patient and what is causing the pain which is an advantage in assessing work ability [12,23].…”

“…The physiotherapist (PT) often spend a substantial amount of time with the patient and are highly familiar with their functional capacity [10]. Earlier studies indicate that PTs can take responsibility for communication with employers [11,12].…”