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WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary, international journal which publishes high quality peer-reviewed manuscripts covering the entire scope of the occupation of work. The journal's subtitle has been deliberately laid out: The first goal is the prevention of illness, injury, and disability. When this goal is not achievable, the attention focuses on assessment to design client-centered intervention, rehabilitation, treatment, or controls that use scientific evidence to support best practice.
WORK occasionally publishes thematic issues, but in general, issues cover a wide range of topics such as ergonomic considerations with children, youth and students, the challenges facing an aging workforce, workplace violence, injury management, performing artists, ergonomic product evaluations, and the awareness of the political, cultural, and environmental determinants of health related to work.
Dr. Karen Jacobs, the founding editor, and her editorial board especially encourage the publication of research studies, clinical practice, case study reports, as well as personal narratives and critical reflections of lived work experiences (autoethnographic/autobiographic scholarship),
Sounding Board commentaries and
Speaking of Research articles which provide the foundation for better understanding research to facilitate knowledge dissemination.
Narrative Reflections on Occupational Transitions, a new column, is for persons who have successfully transitioned into, between, or out of occupations to tell their stories in a narrative form. With an internationally renowned editorial board,
WORK maintains high standards in the evaluation and publication of manuscripts. All manuscripts are reviewed expeditiously and published in a timely manner.
WORK prides itself on being an author-friendly journal.
WORK celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.
*WORK is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)* *WORK is endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)* *WORK gives out the yearly Cheryl Bennett Best Paper Award*
Abstract: Based on the physical nature of their work, hand therapists could be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of self-reported CTS symptoms among hand therapists and the corrective/protective measures utilized in response to symptoms. Additionally, the relationship of CTS symptoms to job satisfaction was explored. A survey was conducted on a sample of 129 hand therapists. The results demonstrated that 57 (46%) symptoms of…CTS. Thirty eight (66.7%) measures ranging from conservative treatment to work modifications to surgery. No significant relationship between CTS symptoms and job dissatisfaction was found. Descriptive statistics were reported on the effects of age, experience and reasons for job dissatisfaction. In conclusion, these findings suggest a seemingly high frequency of self-reported CTS symptoms in hand therapists, the utilization and effectiveness of certain interventions, and a lack of association between CTS symptoms and job satisfaction.
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Abstract: The primary purpose of this article is to share conceptualizations of selected specialized literacies, such as scientific, health and technological literacy, that are moving from boundaried work environments to the world at large, Secondly, We relate those conceptualiztions to the attributes of the adult literate reader that are necessary for world in general. The final goal is to develop preliminary guidelines for the specialist to use with the general public when communicating ideas from the specialized…environment.
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Keywords: specialized literacies, scientific literacy, health literacy, technological literacy
Abstract: {\it Objective:} To evaluate the effect of a community-based injury prevention program on work-related injuries. {\it Study design:} A population-based quasi-experimental design was used with pre- and post-implementation measurements in an intervention and a control area. The program was based on cross-sectoral participation in detecting and taking action against work-related injuries. Change in the relative risk of injury was estimated by the odds ratio. {\it Results:} The relative risk of work-related injury…decreased following program exposure, whereas a tendence toward increase was observed in the control area. Middle-aged men accounted for the largest decrease in injury risk. Among the women, a decrease was observed only in the upper middle-aged group. No female-dominated occupational area showed a decrease in injury risk following exposure to the program. {\it Conclusion:} The study showed that the community-based approach had a general effect on the incidence of work-related injuries.
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Keywords: evaluation, work-related injuries, community intervention, community safety promotion, gender differences
Abstract: Cumulative trauma disorder is a widely accepted construct that refers to illnesses of the soft tissues which supposedly occur due to biomechanical workplace risk factors. However, is the term ``cumulative trauma disorder'' a useful term for describing the illness attributed to it? This paper will scrutinize this question by specifying the meaning of ``cumulative trauma disorder'' and examining this construct to see if the belief in it is justified, and if this belief is leading to…the elucidation of the phenomenon it is purporting to notate. Anomalous findings will be identified and used to help evaluate the accuracy of the belief system currently surrounding the term. Finally the ability of the construct ``cumulative trauma disorder'' to provide an adequate foundation for research in this area will be explored. A model of alternate pathomechanisms for this illness is advanced to provide a method of studying the disorders associated with the term.
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Keywords: CTD, repetitive strain injury (RSI), work related musculoskeletal discomfort (WSMD), theory testing
Abstract: Insufficient evidence of the reliability of work-related assessments is a major concern in this area of practice. Despite this concern there has been ongoing development of new assessments, while existing assessments have been revised, modified and updated and others are no longer used or available. {\it Objectives:} The purpose of this study was to determine the extent and quality of evidence for the reliability of work-related assessments. {\it Study Design:} This study examined available literature and…sources in order to review the extent which reliability has been established for 28 work-related assessments. {\it Results:} The levels of evidence and reliability are presented for each assessment. This indicates that a number of commercially available work-related assessments have insufficient evidence of reliability. For the limited number of work-related assessments with an adequate level of evidence on which to judge their reliability, most demonstrate a moderate to good level. Few assessments, however, have demonstrated levels of reliability sufficient for clinical (and legal) purposes. {\it Conclusion:} With this study clinicians will be able to examine their options with regard to the reliability of the assessments they choose to use. Interpretation of changes in test results can be considered in the light of the evidence for the reliability of the instrument used.
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Abstract: Insufficient evidence of the validity of work-related assessments is frequently reported as a major concern in occupational rehabilitation. Despite this concern, and the continuing development of new and old assessments, no comprehensive evaluation of the evidence has been conducted. {\it Objectives:} The purpose of this study was to first determine the extent and quality of available evidence for the validity of work-related assessments, and then where sufficient evidence was available, determine the level of validity. {\it…Study Design:} This study examined available literature and sources in order to review the extent to which validity has been established for 28 work-related assessments. {\it Results:} The levels of evidence and validity are presented for each assessment. Most work-related assessments have limited evidence of validity. Of those that had adequate evidence, validity ranged from poor to good. There was no instrument that demonstrated moderate to good validity in all areas. Very few work-related assessments were able to demonstrate adequate validity in more than one area, or with more than one study, even when contributory evidence was included. {\it Conclusion:} With this study clinicians will be able to examine their options with regard to the validity of the assessments they choose to use.
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Abstract: The study examines the distribution of injuries and their patterns among Swedish school pupils. Data were gathered from an injury register created during the school year 1996/97, with the help of 79 schools and using a standardized registration form. Injury ratios (IRs) by gender, type of municipality, and type of school were measured all injuries aggregated and for five injury patterns. IRs did not vary much by gender, but showed considerable variation by type of school…and type of municipality. A strong association was found between injury pattern and gender. Taken as a whole, the findings shed light on the circumstances under which school injuries are incurred. They suggest that targets for prevention may vary by gender, school level and, to some extent, by type of municipality. The extent to which the findings are generalizable is uncertain.
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Keywords: gender, school injuries, injury patterns, injury ratios, cluster analysis
Abstract: The wide use of the coefficient of variation in detecting sincerity of effort is puzzling since existing research findings regarding its effectiveness are contradictory. The lack of empirical support in the literature raises the question of whether or not the coefficient of variation is a valid measure for detecting sincerity of effort. Many clinicians, especially those who use a computer software to calculate the coefficient of variation, may not understand how the coefficient of variation is…derived and what it is based on. The coefficient of variation is a measure of relative variability and would be used correctly only if the average and the standard deviation of grip strength trials increased proportionally. This case study, however, demonstrated that the average and standard deviation of grip strength are independent. Thus, the coefficient of variation is not a valid measure of sincerity of effort. In addition, this study indicated that the coefficient of variation may be inflated in individuals after carpal tunnel release surgery. The author, therefore, cautions clinicians against the use of the coefficient of variation as a measure of sincerity of effort especially in injured individuals with compromised hand strength.
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Keywords: coefficient of variation, sincerity of effort, grip strength, carpal tunnel release, measure of relative variability
