Working with a chronic disorder—the development of the Work and Handicap Questionnaire

Abstract

The Work and Handicap Questionnaire (WHQ) was developed to improve the vocational perspectives of patients with a chronic disorder. The WHQ differs from similar instruments in its explicit linkage between disabilities in daily life and job demands. This is an important feature, which allows for the development of specific strategies to counter work problems of people with a chronic disorder. The WHQ makes an inventory of possibly harmful working conditions and of possible strategies to counter health-related work problems by means of the work adjustments. Results of the application of the WHQ are shown for three patient groups (neuromuscular disorders, multiple sclerosis and asthma) and a group of colleagues with no chronic disorder. Results show similarities and differences between labour conditions and labour experiences between the three patient groups. It also shows differences and similarities between those working with a chronic disorder and those without such a disorder. Acceptance of the consequences of a chronic disorder for the job performance and a focus on health-related work problems would prolong career opportunities for workers with a chronic disorder. The use of the Work and Handicap Questionnaire will hopefully further these aims in determining health-related work problems and offer solutions by means of adequate work adjustment.

Occupational outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review

“… 74 Andries et al designed the Work and Handicap Questionnaire (WHQ) aiming to estimate the degree of work handicap in PwMS, neuromuscular diseases and asthma based on the association of daily life disabilities and job demands. 75 Although it was not specifically created for PwMS, it showed good reliability. Honan et al developed a shortened version of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ) that consists of a 23-item measure of self-reported perceived workplace difficulties in PwMS.…”

“…The EDSS and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) scale have both been associated with employability 74. Andries et al designed the Work and Handicap Questionnaire (WHQ) aiming to estimate the degree of work handicap in PwMS, neuromuscular diseases and asthma based on the association of daily life disabilities and job demands 75. Although it was not specifically created for PwMS, it showed good reliability.…”

Craft techniques in conductive education to support the employment of persons with mobility impairments

“…There are a number of instruments for monitoring disability and work needs [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] but in my case, the small number of young persons involved and the specific diagnosis of cerebral palsy do not yet allow us to use these efficiently. Thus, in the course of the research, in addition to the directed observation and interviews conducted during the workshop visits, my methods also included the collection and analysis of data and experiences of international employment institutions.…”