Occupational-psychosocial perceptions influencing return to work and functional performance of injured workers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Keough, Jeremy L. | Fisher, Thomas F.

Affiliations: Carrington Health Systems and Department of Occupational Therapy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA

Note: [] 3921 Richardson Rd. Apt. 35, Independence, KY 41051, USA. Tel.: +1 606 371 3388; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Much has been done to identify psychosocial factors influencing risk of vocational injury and prolonged disability. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the ability of injured workers to return to their prior worker role through the identification of the influencing psychosocial perceptions. Psychosocial perceptions may assist in the identification of negative or counterproductive factors that hinder the rehabilitative process. Identifying perceptions are individual centered and focused on the views of injured workers as they proceed through the transition in life following injury. Occupational therapists play a key role in the rehabilitative process of injured workers through enhancing the person-job-environment fit [4].

Keywords: psychosocial factors, vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapy, transition to role performance, person-job-environment fit, functional independence

Journal: Work, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 101-110, 2001