Affiliations: Center for Dementia Research, Division of Health and
Society, Department of Medical and Health Science, Linköping University,
Linköping, Sweden | Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health
Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönkïping, Sweden | Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Note: [] Corresponding author: Johannes Hjalmarsson Österholm,
Division of Health and Society, Department of Medical and Health Sciences
(IMH), Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Tel.:
+46(0)13 28 28 94; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Employment rates are significantly lower among individuals
with arthritis compared to a general population. There is, however, limited
research about how men with arthritis perceive their ability to maintain
working. The aim of this study was thus to explore their perception of this. PARTICIPANTS: Nine employed men with arthritis were purposively sampled. METHODS: Interviews were performed and were informed by the central
concepts of the Model of Human Occupation. The Empirical Phenomenological
Psychological method was modified and used to analyze and interpret collected data. RESULTS: The findings showed that men with arthritis perceived a
desire to work, adjusted their activity pattern, were aware of their own
capabilities, had good work conditions, had environmental support and used
effective medication to maintain their ability to work. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that health care professionals can help men with arthritis to
find strategies and a balance between recreation and work. Ultimately, this
knowledge could guide health care professionals to target men needing
interventions to prevent sick leave.
Keywords: Ability to work, empirical phenomenological psychological method (EPP), rheumatism, rheumatology, work ability
