Development of a novel WOrk-Related Questionnaire for UPper extremity disorders (WORQ-UP)

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that identifies work-related limitations among patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in order to enhance work-directed care in daily orthopaedic practice, and to assess its content validity.MethodsThe questionnaire was developed following the evaluation of existing PROMs and consensus within the research team. The content validity was assessed in three steps: (1) one on one interviews with patients (n = 14) were held to discuss the clarity and possible adaptation of items; (2) experts from the field (physiotherapists, insurance physicians, occupational health physicians, rehabilitation physicians and orthopaedic surgeons) were approached to participate in an interview to discuss the clarity, relevance and missing items; (3) patients (n = 12) were interviewed one on one to discuss the final version.ResultsThe first version of the WOrk-Related Questionnaire for UPper extremity disorders (WORQ-UP) consisted of 18 items based on the criteria: exertion, dexterity, handling tools & equipment, and mobility. According to patients (n = 14), 44% of the items were not easy enough to understand. Twenty-one experts [10 men, mean age 46 (SD = 8.5) and mean years of experience 16 (SD = 9.9)] participated in the interviews and adaptations were made. The final version of the WORQ-UP consisted of 17 items, all easy enough to understand according to patients (n = 12).ConclusionsA PROM specific for work-related limitations in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders was developed. According to patients and experts, it has sufficient content validity. The WORQ-UP can be used to assist in enhancing communication among healthcare workers to improve work-directed care and to evaluate effects of treatment on limitations at work.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00420-017-1246-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative outcomes of total wrist arthrodesis for salvage of failed total wrist arthroplasty and primary wrist arthrodesis

“…After verbal agreement, questionnaires were conducted by telephone or sent by email as final follow-up. The PROMs were assessed using the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE; Dutch version) (MacDermid, 1996) and the Work-Related Questionnaire for Upper extremity disorders (WORQ-UP; Dutch version) (Aerts et al., 2017). Additionally, patients were asked how satisfied they were with the result after wrist arthrodesis, using a scale from 0 (not satisfied) to 10 (fully satisfied).…”