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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: Objectives: This study evaluated the implementation of recommendations from a prior review of functional capacity evaluation practice in a regionalised rehabilitation service. The evaluation considered the acceptance of the recommendations and the current level of consistency of approach in practice. Study design: The study was qualitative in nature, using a descriptive survey and a focus group. Participants were occupational therapists of a major rehabilitation provider in Queensland, Australia. Eighteen of 48 therapists (38%) responded to the questionnaire. Eight therapists participated in the focus group. Results: The results indicated some acceptance of the recommendations for functional capacity evaluation in…areas such as procedure, reporting, equipment and model of evaluation. Further research into the reliability and validity of functional capacity evaluation was indicated. Discussion: The low response rate did not allow conclusive results. However, the findings provided some evidence of consistency in functional capacity evaluation practice. The results are discussed in relation to current issues in functional capacity evaluation practice.
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Abstract: The standing table is an assistive device designed to encourage occupational performance of the upper extremities while helping the person compensate for limitations in standing posture. We conducted three single-subject studies of a standing table used by a 52-year-old man with spastic cerebral palsy and mental retardation. In the first study, positioning in the standing table resulted in no discernible difference in work output per hour in comparison to his customary seated posture. In the second study, positioning in the standing table resulted in an unexpectedly small increase in work output in comparison to his customary method of standing without…special support at the work bench. In the third study, we demonstrated that the standing table dramatically improved the erectness of his posture as measured by an infrared motion detector in comparison to his customary method of standing. Because work productivity depends on multiple factors, improved posture and biomechanical stability do no always result in a proportionate improvement in work output. There remain multiple justifications of equipment such as the standing table in work settings for adults with developmental disabilities.
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Abstract: This study examined the construct validity and the internal consistency of a newly developed assessment, the Work Environment Impact Scale (WEIS). After administration to 20 individuals with psychiatric disabilities, Rasch analysis was utilized to scrutinize the data. For this study, criteria for determining unexpected person/item responses were based on the following criteria: MNSQ > 1.3 and $\underline{t}>2.0$ . Persons/items with MNSQ < 0.7 and $\underline{t}<-2.0$ were examined to enhance instrument precision but were not considered misfit. Results suggest that the WEIS is an appropriate and valid instrument to utilize with workers who have psychiatric disabilities. Overall, the…items appeared to match the worker's need for performance, satisfaction, and well-being as the mean of persons measure is 0.30 ± 0.49 logits more than the mean of items measured. In addition the hierarchical order of items is consistent with literature identifying environmental press and affordance for workers with psychiatric disabilities. WEIS items constitute a uni-dimensional construct given that the summary statistics for both item and person had a MNSQ of 1.00 and 1.02 respectively and both $\underline{t}$ values were –0.2. However, three items exceeded the established criterion for being too informative given the MNSQ < 0.7 and a $\underline{t}<-2.0$ ., suggesting these needed to be revised to enhance the quality measurement of the instrument. One hundred percent of the workers fit the expected response pattern of the Rasch model suggesting that workers with greater satisfaction, performance and health had a higher degree of match with his/her occupational environment. In summary, anecdotal data suggested that the WEIS provided clinically relevant information useful for planning of work-related interventions or reasonable accommodations.
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Abstract: Sales workers persuade, influence, inform and cajole customers, resulting in the purchase of a product or service. The selling profession is broken down into three categories: sales technology, general sales, and vending. Each of the categories are broken down and examined according to work tasks performed, preparation needed, and advancement opportunities. A case example of an injured agricultural chemical sales worker is provided to demonstrate an industry-specific injury and development of an appropriate vocational rehabilitation plan.
Abstract: Ergonomic seating and proper positioning during the performance of activities is a major focus in the adult workplace. This focus, however, is typically ignored in classrooms where our youngest workers spend the majority of their time. A review of the literature was done to determine the effects of school furniture design on the postural health of schoolchildren (K-12). The review indicated that the adjustability of school furniture is an important design feature if children are to have equal educational opportunity, increased comfort, and decreased incidences of musculoskeletal symptoms. The effectiveness of ergonomic school furniture on schoolchildren has been demonstrated in…only one study reviewed in this paper. The other studies are reviewed in an effort to identify: (1) the variation of anthropometric measures of children; (2) the performance of activities exposing children to various postures; and (3) the physical design features of school furniture as three factors which influence the postural health of schoolchildren.
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Keywords: School furniture, Classroom furniture, Schoolchildren
Abstract: The article describes an experimental approach to increasing consumer participation in the Americans with Disabilities Act's Title I accommodation request process. Specifically, participants (N = 36) completed a structured interview to identify their needs for on-the-job accommodations, received detailed information about Title I provisions, and completed a social competence training program to assist them in requesting accommodations from their employers. Results indicated that the intervention was effective in increasing knowledge of Title I provisions and behavioral activity related to requesting and implementing accommodations.
Keywords: Reasonable accommodations, Career adjustment, Self-advocacy
Abstract: This article discusses the role of culture in the development of individuals with disabilities and how culture might affect one's self-esteem. Implications for future work potential are presented relative to self-esteem. The World Health Organization definitions of impairment, disability and handicap are presented as a reminder that someone with a disability is considered ‘handicapped’ by the society or culture in which one lives and works. Thus it is culture which helps to mold how one thinks about oneself and about what one is capable of doing in one's life. Next, culture is defined and parents' cultural beliefs about disability are…examined. Cross-cultural studies are presented to illustrate differences between cultures relative to disabilities with implications for participation in an adult society. Cooperation and competition are mentioned. Several educational experiences are described in the context of culture. All who work with children with disabilities are urged to be aware of the culture(s) of each child and of the potential effects on self-esteem and on one's ability to be a contributing member of society.
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Keywords: Culture, Development of children with disabilities, Self-esteem of children with disabilities, Societal handicap
Abstract: The disruptive effects of a hand burn injury permeate all aspects of a person's life. Hand burn rehabilitation is a multi-staged process; returning the client to functional occupational roles is its' ultimate goal. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature that examines return to work and psychosocial adjustment for the client with a hand burn. Other issues reviewed include: wound management; edema; positioning; activities of daily living; and therapeutic exercise. This paper concludes with an example of a work hardening clinic, and a case study, in order to illustrate the application of information provided.
Keywords: Rehabilitation, Employment, Burn recovery, Hand injuries
Abstract: Domestic violence against women is a significant health and social problem affecting virtually all societies. The sensitivities and stigma associated with domestic violence, the conceptualization of it primarily as a judicial and legal issue, and the lack of data on the dimensions of abuse have hampered understanding and the development of appropriate interventions. Secrecy, insufficient evidence, and social and legal barriers continue to make it difficult to acquire data on domestic violence against women. This paper describes the magnitude and health consequences of domestic violence. It explores factors that perpetuate violence against women, and discusses intervention strategies from around the…world.
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Keywords: Domestic violence, Gender, Health policy, Violence against women
