Factors contributing to work-ability for injured workers: literature review and comparison with available measures

Abstract

Components contributing to work-ability go beyond the ability to perform particular work tasks. Measures intended to be used to inform vocational rehabilitation arguably need to consider all these factors to maximise likelihood of a sustainable return to work.

The role of cognitive resources for subjective work ability and health in nursing

“…As expected, and in line with the literature (e.g., Borella et al 2008;Camerino et al 2006;Müller et al 2013;Salthouse 2009;Schaie 1994;Schnitzspahn et al 2013), we found substantial age differences in subjective work ability and subjective health as well as in cognitive resources (i.e., crystallized intelligence, cognitive speed, short-term memory, working memory, and inhibition). Consistent with the predictions derived from the framework of Fadyl et al (2010), we also found substantial (positive) associations of a variety of specific cognitive functions with subjective work ability and health (particularly for shortterm memory, working memory, and inhibition). Importantly, these relations remained significant when controlling for age, education, depressive symptoms, and common self-regulation strategies, which does not argue in favor of those confounders being the major driving force in the relations observed.…”

“…Moreover, based on the framework of Fadyl et al (2010), we predicted that cognitive resources are related to work ability and health. In particular, regarding the role of specific cognitive abilities, based on the Action Regulation Theory (Hacker 2003; see also e.g., Kohn and Schooler 1983), we predicted that better cognitive functioning in crystallized intelligence (in terms of general knowledge) as well as in cognitive speed (as a general processing resource), in short-term memory, and in cognitively controlled higher-order functions such as working memory and inhibition (shielding current goals from distracting information) is substantially related to better work ability and health.…”

“…Those job demands are linked to specific cognitive functions such as fast processing of incoming information (i.e., cognitive speed), retrieving and applying knowledge (i.e., crystallized intelligence), storing and recalling new information in/from short-term memory as well as processing of information held in memory (i.e., working memory), or executive control as in inhibition of inappropriate responses (e.g., Fadyl et al 2010;Hacker 2003;Kohn and Schooler 1983;Schooler et al 1999).…”

“…Consequently, in their framework of factors contributing to work ability of employees, Fadyl et al (2010) proposed that, in addition to physical, mental, social, behavioral, and workplace factors as well as factors outside the workplace (see also Liebermann et al 2013;Schlick et al 2013), cognitive resources should play a crucial role in the ability to function adequately at work. Yet, surprisingly little empirical research is available to test the proposed relation between cognition and work ability in the field using comprehensive batteries of cognitive sub-processes across core domains such as memory, processing speed, and executive functions.…”

Development of a new tool to evaluate work support needs and guide vocational rehabilitation: the Work-ability Support Scale (WSS)

“…Furthermore, the difficulties encountered in attempts to meaningfully classify the various aspects highlight how much the actual practice of vocational rehabilitation involves situated, real--world processes of assessing and juggling resources, competing demands, interpersonal negotiations and the various other issues that arise in part because work carries such a significance for individuals and society [14]. This complexity is also problematic in the assessment of work--ability, as existing measures tend to be focused on generalities in the relationship between impairment and functioning rather than the specifics of the individual situation, despite these being very important [15]. Meaningful and robustly--developed standardised tools are essential because they enable useful comparisons between individuals, populations and programmes, as well as constituting resources that help practitioners such as health professionals collect relevant information that can enhance decision--making and actions [16,17].…”