Work Disability Resulting From Chronic Health Conditions

Abstract

New research is urgently needed to reduce the burden of work disability on individuals and society.

3rd place, PREMUS best paper competition: development of the return-to-work self-efficacy (RTWSE-19) questionnaire – psychometric properties and predictive validity

“…For each item, respondents provide a response on a 6-point likert scale from 0 ("difficult none of the time") to 4 ("difficult all the time"). The WLQ was designed as a measure of "presenteeism" that might be used to quantify subjective interpretations of lost productivity due to pain and chronic illness among working adults (47). The measure has good reliability and has been associated with objective measures of work productivity (46,48).…”

Does High-Risk Pool Coverage Meet the Needs of People at Risk for Disability?

“…The potential costs of lost productivity and greater long-term health needs for this population, however, may far outweigh the short-term costs of better prevention and upfront investment in care (Integrated Benefits Institute 2004;Lerner, Allaire, and Reisine 2005;Loeppke et al 2007;Long, King, and Coughlin 2006;McWilliams et al 2007;Miller 2005). As noted by the National Council on Disability (2005), the ultimate costs associated with Americans becoming disabled and relying on disability programs are borne by all U.S. citizens.…”

“…America's traditional emphasis on productivity belies the lack of a national health care policy and system designed to invest in preventive care for people on this pathway to disability (Lerner, Allaire, and Reisine 2005). Loeppke et al (2007) noted an increasing awareness among employers that cutting short-term costs of medical coverage can result in much greater long-term costs in lost productivity.…”

“…For individuals on this gradual pathway to disability, early identification and interventions that forestall or prevent disability could benefit the individuals and stem growth in Social Security disability programs (Honeycutt 2004;Lerner, Allaire, and Reisine 2005;Miller 2005). Honeycutt (2004) found lack of health insurance coverage, or uninsurance, to be a risk factor in the trajectory to disability.…”

Effect of job maintenance training program for employees with chronic disease – a randomized controlled trial on self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and fatigue

“…More recently, attention has been paid to efforts that help employees to stay at work (21,22). A review of empowerment-based interventions aimed at job maintenance shows that there is limited evidence that these are effective at enhancing self-efficacy, implementation of work accommodations, and job maintenance (23).…”