A clinician's guide to work-related assessments: 2 – design problems

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Innes, Ev^; | Straker, Leon

Affiliations: School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia | School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Shenton Park, WA, Australia

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 61 29 3519209, fax: + 61 29 3519197. e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This paper is the second in a series aimed at providing clinicians with a guide to assist them in using work-related assessments appropriately. This paper discusses the four major design problems facing clinicians using work-related assessments. These problems are: (1) a confused definition of terms; (2) confused conceptual basis; (3) separation of the individual from the context and the environment; and (4) lack of assessment of psychosocial/cognitive aspects related to work. Suggestions are provided to assist clinicians in making decisions regarding work-related assessments. Recommendations for further research to ameliorate these problems are also made. Companion papers describe the purposes of work-related assessments, and administration and interpretation problems in detail.

Keywords: Work-related assessment, Work assessment, Functional capacity evaluation, Occupational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11209

Journal: Work, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 191-206, 1998