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ISSN 1051-9815 (P)
ISSN 1875-9270 (E)
Impact Factor 2024: 1.7
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: This study outlines a translation procedure for an attitudinal instrument. The study investigated the cross-translation of the Job Descriptive Index Sub scale of ‘type of work.’ The cross-translation or committee translation procedure asks two or more translators to translate a text from source to target language, then an expert assesses the validity of these translations. Empirically, this method has three translators, translate the instrument from English to Arabic and then an expert assesses the translations made by the three translators. This method was supported by having 180 bilinguals attempt the source language and later attempt the target language instrument or…the translated instrument. The two versions are then compared through the ANOVA, correlational analyses and factor analyses. The results indicated a high reliability for the Arabic and English versions. The committee translation approach provides a valid method for translation, the results however, showed that the instrument in both languages did not show item to item similarity or equivalence.
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Abstract: Workers in the construction trades experience high rates of injuries and illnesses, including work-related musculoskeletal disorders. As the basis for formulating and implementing ergonomic changes to reduce musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the pipe trades, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. The survey instrument assessed the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and identified job factors that may contribute to those symptoms. A two-page questionnaire was mailed out to members of three plumber and pipe/steamfitter unions. Results from 526 (40% response rate) apprentices and journeymen indicated that the highest work-related symptoms and reported lost work time due to those symptoms, were in…the back, neck, and knees. Awkward postures and working in the same position for long periods were identified as the leading causes of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. These results can be used to formulate appropriate intervention strategies for the reduction of musculoskeletal symptoms for construction workers in the pipe trades.
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Abstract: Vocational planning for people with schizophrenia often creates a unique challenge for rehabilitation professionals due to the ambiguous nature of the disease and the lack of information concerning the work potential of people with this disorder. This article reviews the medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of schizophrenia. Issues pertaining to difficulties in determining diagnoses and prognoses are discussed. Methods for assessment and vocational planning are also presented to assist rehabilitation professionals in making timely and appropriate interventions.
Keywords: Schizophrenia, Mental illness, Vocational rehabilitation, Career development
Abstract: Multiple literacies are needed to be successful in the health professions today. This article outlines five general types or spheres of literacies that health care workers, professionals and clients need to possess to some degree to function effectively in the current complexities and multiple areas of modern health. Examples of each kind or sphere of literacy are given as well as suggestions for how such literacies may be promoted in the workplace.
Abstract: Objectives: The objective was to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a medical-community job-retention model in MS. Study Design: 43 individuals with MS at risk for losing their jobs were randomized to one of two groups. Both received standard medical care. The experimental group received specialized services geared toward job-retention conducted by medical personnel and an employment specialist. The control group received only standard medical care. Both groups were followed for 1 year. Results: The new program was feasible, however, participants made little use of its services. At the I-year follow-up there was no difference between the two groups in…job retention. Conclusions: A combined medical-community job-retention program is feasible in MS. However, patients do not generally wish to take advantage of job-retention services until an employment crisis develops. Future programs should develop more effective approaches to early intervention to realize their maximum potential.
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Abstract: The content and effect of a new occupational therapy programme aimed for vocational training forming part of a research project named ‘the Sollentuna Rehabilitation Project’ are described for four patients (of 38) with musculoskeletal pain. In the programme, occupational therapy analysis and intervention alternated. Intervention was based on the model of human occupation, the rehabilitative, the biomechanical, and occupational adaptive frames of reference. Each patient participated in a structured interview and a job analysis. The programme was evaluated on five measurement occasions using the Goal Attainment Scale, self-assessments of patterns of daily occupation using an activity log, and self-estimation of…pain using the ‘Symtrack’ instrument. On the fifth measurement occasion two of the patients had decreased their resting time and three were performing activities formerly avoided due to pain. Two patients' degree of assessed pain had decreased. Three of the four patients had attained their individual goals of occupational therapy (T= >50). The occupational therapy programme has proved to be applicable in primary health care for patients with musculoskeletal pain.
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Abstract: The purpose of this research is to investigate the contributions and process of vocational rehabilitation in health based brain injury services in the United Kingdom. It addresses traditional forms of vocational rehabilitation and job coaching. In relation to these approaches, the research focuses on the process of assessment, intervention and outcome. It also identifies which staff are involved in vocational rehabilitation and reasons why some services do not address vocation. Data was gathered via a postal survey questionnaire. Of the 70 services who agreed to participate, 54 responded. The raw information provided a variety of nominal, ordinal and interval data…and was mainly subjected to descriptive analysis. The results suggest that there is a limited range of suitable assessments and outcome measures that can be used in relation to vocational rehabilitation. In contrast, there is a dearth of intervention methods being implemented. Occupational therapists, followed by psychologists constitute the main disciplines involved in this provision. Reasons for not providing vocational rehabilitation are commonly due to insufficient staff, training and funding.
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Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, Job coaching, Brain injury, Health service
