Medical Incapacity Management in the South African Private Industrial Sector: The role of the occupational therapist

Abstract

order to uphold the conditions of ethical clearance and gatekeeper permissions for this study, employment details are withheld as per conditions agreed upon prior to commencement of this study. Background: Occupational therapists working in the field of occupational health in South African private industrial sectors may find themselves involved in management of medical incapacity due to their expertise in vocational rehabilitation. Aim: In this study, the authors explored how South African Acts guide the role and scope of occupational therapists in medical incapacity management, in addition to determining the scope, role and value of occupational therapy in medical incapacity management from the perspectives of occupational therapists currently working in the field. Method: An exploratory qualitative design with use of two concurrent methods of data collection (document analysis and semi structured interviews) was undertaken. Data were analysed thematically, via deductive reasoning, and pooled to provide a picture of how occupational therapists can function within medical incapacity management. Results and Discussion: Six themes emerged from the data. Occupational therapists' role and scope within legislature appears to lack detail with a disjuncture between legislation that guides medical incapacity management and current practice of occupational therapists. Notwithstanding this, the findings of this study show that occupational therapists play a critical role within management of medical incapacity.

Disability management in a public-private health care facility in South Africa: an organisational perspective

“…The application process for long-term incapacity leave and ill health retirement was seen as ambiguous, tedious and challenging, and marked with financial implications for the employees and was perceived to hinder an effective DM process. These findings were similar to other studies 1 , 9 .…”

“…This rehabilitation team, particularly the occupational therapists, would play an essential role in providing return to work recommendations and RTW strategies and assist with job coaching. In their paper, Govender and colleagues 9 outlined the role that the occupational therapist can play in medical incapacity management in South Africa. Given the many factors that impact an employee's health, a proactive approach towards preventing illness and limiting disabilities for the SA workforce is required 25 .…”

“…When there is no formal disability management (DM) policies, procedures or programme in place, managers use their discretion when monitoring long-term sickness absenteeism due to disability or ill-health 9 . Maja et al's 10 study reported the lack of knowledge about disability by employers which contributes to the poor re-integration of employees with impairments and disabilities within the workplace.…”

The role of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A scoping review

“…95:10 . African occupational therapists should be aware of their own country's policies towards persons with disabilities and rehabilitation, and use their expertise in occupational participation and justice to advocate for their clients at all levels, lobbying governments to change discriminatory policies and minimise the gap between legislation and practice 4,22,86,96,97 . Our findings indicate the tremendous barriers people face to engage in meaningful occupations; hence, African occupational therapists can be involved in developing broader national policies to reduce such barriers, whether it be policies supporting persons with disabilities to work 97 or for extended maternity leave for working mothers 29 .…”