Work - Volume 5, issue 3

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5301

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 155-155, 1995

Authors: Söderback, Ingrid | Frost, Dan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The transfer of knowledge within occupational therapy is discussed in terms of marketing. As an example, the authors consider strategies through which occupational therapy teachers and practitioners, and other providers in rehabilitation in Sweden, may improve their knowledge of work ability assessment and of work-related rehabilitation programmes.

Keywords: Assessment, Health care market, Knowledge, Marketing, Occupational therapy, Rehabilitation, Work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5302

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 157-165, 1995

Authors: Erikson, Anette | Fitinghoff, Hélène

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study is about the concept of work from a Swedish and international authors point of view. The concept of work is full of nuances and this study will impress some of these to the readers The study finally contains an idea of a curriculum of work from the Stockholm University College of Health Sciences, Department of Social Care and Rehabilitation, which will be presented.

Keywords: Occupation, Work, Curriculum

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5303

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 167-172, 1995

Authors: Schult, Marie-Louise | Schüldt, Kristina | Ekholm, Jan | Söderback, Ingrid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to find out how patients viewed their work environment and work technique, and how suggested alterations to the workplace had been realized after a comprehensive exercise-oriented rehabilitation program, including a substantial part with individual ergonomic analysis, individual ergonomic advice and specific work technique training at the occupational therapy unit. The patients had chronic musculoskeletal pain (mostly load-related) in the neck and shoulder with or without neurogenic pain in the arm. After the rehabilitation program a questionnaire was sent to 181 patients. One hundred and thirty-five patients (109 women and 26 men) (75%) responded. More …than half of the patients reported that they thought more than once a week about the individual ergonomic advice given during the session when the analysis of videofilm from their workplaces was presented. Their ratings showed high awareness of the advice given, e.g. taking micropauses during work (e.g. straightening up ones back combined with muscular relaxation), working with arms kept close to the trunk, lifting burden close to the body. Half of the patients had made use of the possibility to change working position once or more per hour. The results indicate that the patients were aware of their working technique after participating in the rehabilitation program. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, Work technique, Chronic musculoskeletal pain, Neck, Shoulder, Neurogenic pain, Rehabilitation medicine, Occupational therapy, Ergonomi, Arbetsteknik, Kronisk muskuloskelettal smärta, Nacke, Skuldra, Neurogen smärta, Medicinsk rehabilitering, Arbetsterapi, Individuell ergonomisk rådgivning, Skuldergördels-höjar muskulaturen, Videofilmning

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5304

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 173-183, 1995

Authors: Vidmark, Inger

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Children with mental retardation in Sweden are educated in special schools. This paper explores how these students are prepared for work in adult life based on Maurer's model of vocational development by examining current curriculums. The results indicate that the sequences of vocational development are considered in the curriculums. Yet few persons with mental retardation are employed on the open market. Reasons for this are discussed.

Keywords: Mental retardation, Children, Work, Education, Curriculum, Utvecklingsstöming, Barn, Arbete, Utbildning, låroplaner

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5305

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 185-190, 1995

Authors: Berglund, Karin | Eriksson, Marianne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The occupational therapist meets, in the course of his or her work, people who have difficulty in using their hands for activities of daily living. In these activities there can be difficulty in, or loss of capability of, holding or working with different sorts of tools. The design of the tool itself can cause disability. Knowledge of the function of the hand and the ergonomic aspects of tool design are important professional skills for occupational therapists. This article provides some of the content included in the academic training of occupational therapists in Sweden.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5306

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 191-195, 1995

Authors: Paulsson, Helena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In vocational rehabilitation, the occupational therapist uses his/her knowledge of the work environment, along with the client's personal background, in conjunction with other specialists in the field. The purpose of the Labour Market Administration Organisation is to assist clients to find, to obtain and to keep a job that is suitable for them. Jobs are sought in the regular labour market. Practical Vocational Orientation and Training (Praot) assesses workability through practical work using ‘on the job’ site tasks and functional assessments. The clients are helped to identify their potental problems and their resources. Through this wider knowledge, the clients are …guided to use their resources on the labour market. In Praot, the client also has the opportunity to try out and train with the use of technical aids. Show more

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, Sweden, Organisation of labour market, Praot, Uppsala, Yrkesinriktad rehabilitering, Arbetsmarknadsverkets organisation, Praot Uppsala, Arbetshandikapp

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5307

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 197-203, 1995

Authors: Larsson, Svante

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In Sweden the central feature of vocational rehabilitation is the cooperation between rehabilitation within medical care and the vocational rehabilitation and training arranged by the Employment Office and the Social Insurance Office. The two latter public authorities are both responsible for the availability of rehabilitation and the payment of compensation to the chronically sick-listed or unemployed. Increased unemployment necessitates the improvement of routines for cooperation and the design of an efficient rehabilitation. The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Karolinska Hospital is modifying routines to improve its handling of the new tasks.

Keywords: Rehabilitation medicine, Sick-leave, Employability institutes, Rehabiliteringsmedicin, Sjukskrivning, Arbetsmarknadsinstitut

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5308

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 205-212, 1995

Authors: Degerman, Else-Ann | Dahlberg, Raymond | Wallén, Dagmar | Björklund, Eva | Lundman, Dan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Computer technology is opening new paths and opportunities for persons with serious functional disabilities. Eyegaze is an advanced aid which allows a person to operate a computer by eye movement alone. In this study, persons with extremely limited mobility have been enlisted to compare computer operation using eye movements (with Eyegaze) versus computer operation using a head-controlled mouse. Eyegaze is perceived as being physically easier, but shows a higher degree of static muscular strain. Working with Eyegaze requires individual adaptation, a high degree of attention and a separate, quiet workplace. Technically, Eyegaze today is of somewhat limited use since the …software is text-based and takes up a lot of the computer's RAM. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomic evaluation, Technical evaluation, Eye-controlled computer, Eyegaze, Head-controlled mouse

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5309

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 213-221, 1995

Authors: Schult, Marie-Louise | Söderback, Ingrid | Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The work capacity assessment (WCA) is described. In a WCA the requirements for performing a specific job, defined in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), are compared with the client's work capacity as defined under seven variables: General Education (GED), Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP), Aptitudes, Interest Areas (GOE), Temperament, Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions. A WCA may be run by observing the client either at work or in simulated work e.g. using Valpar Component Work Samples (VCWS). At the Rehabilitation clinic, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm the standardized work-samples VCWS 8 “Simulated assembly” and VCW 9 “Whole body range of motion” together …with the DOT were used to improve the WCAs. VCWS 8 measures “a person's ability to work at an assembly task requiring repetitive physical manipulation” and VCWS 9 measures “a person's gross body movements related to her/his skills to perform unskilled industrial work”. Patients (n = 97) with muskulosceletal neck-and-shoulder pain, participating in a rehabilitation program, constituted the sample for validation of VCWS 8 (n = 85) and VCWS 9 (n = 69) for Swedish use. The mean value for the patients who completed VCWS 8 was 83.1% of industrial Method-time-measurement (MTM) standard (87.5%): i.e. they “Do not meet (A)” the requirements for the job specified. Contrary to this, patients who performed VCWS 9 exceeded “Meet” (108.6%) of the MTM (87.5%) requirements for the job. The unexpected result may be explained by patients' work interest areas matching those of VCWS 8 and VCWS 9 to only 32 percent. A retrospective comparison between the patients' sick-listed or not sick-listed and their capability to perform what was required for the minimum “Meets” level of VCWS 8 or 9 showed no logical pattern. Many facts may have affected the results, such as the patient motivation, other psycho-social circumstances and the therapists decision to use only two of the available VCWS. The conclusion is that a WCA should be performed prospectively, taking into account the job requirements according to the DOT and then choosing the proper VCWSs. If this is done VCWSs are valid and of great help in medical diagnoses and decisions concerning further sick-listing or job recommendations. Show more

Keywords: Neck pain, Occupational therapy, Rehabilitation, Work capacity assessment and evaluation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5310

Citation: Work, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 223-233, 1995