Health and Illness Representations of Workers with a Musculoskeletal Disorder-Related Work Disability During Work Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

• Published in: Journal of occupational rehabilitation 2011-12, Vol.21 (4), p.591-600
• Main Authors: Coutu, Marie-France, Baril, Raymond, Durand, Marie-José, Côté, Daniel, Cadieux, Geneviève
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents; Adult; Clinical Psychology; disabilities; Environmental Health; Female; Health; Health Behavior; Health care; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Psychology; Health Status; Humans; Illnesses; Injuries; Interdisciplinary aspects; Interviews; Interviews as Topic; Male; Medical personnel; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases - psychology; Musculoskeletal Diseases - rehabilitation; musculoskeletal system; Occupational Diseases - psychology; Occupational Diseases - rehabilitation; Occupational health; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Occupational safety; Occupational therapy; Orthopedics; Pain; Patients; Perception; Professional-Patient Relations; Qualitative Research; Quebec; Rehabilitation; Return to work programs; Sick leave; Studies; Terminology as Topic; Vocational rehabilitation; Work; Workers
• ISSN: 1053-0487; 1573-3688
• DOI: 10.1007/s10926-011-9311-7

Introduction Distinctions between disease and illness have been criticized for being too theoretical. In practice, however, it may help explain gaps in understanding and miscommunication between health care professionals and patients/injured workers, since each has their own perception of reality. To reduce the gap between health care professionals and patients in understanding the definition of disease, this paper documents general representations of health, illness and work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their influence on the work rehabilitation program. Methods A qualitative methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (male, female) recruited when they were starting an intensive interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program for chronic pain due to a musculoskeletal disorder. Interviews were performed at three points during the program and 1 month after discharge. Results First, participants described health and illness in terms of: (1) illness prototype; (2) the absence or presence of symptoms; (3) physical health and capacities; (4) engaging in a healthy lifestyle; (5) maintaining independence; (6) preserving mental well-being; and (7) healing from accidents or injuries. A second observation was that rehabilitation success depended on workers transitioning from a less mechanistic to a more functional view of health. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of identifying and acknowledging workers’ health, illness and WRMSD representations to facilitate their return to work.