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Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 3/2014

01-09-2014

Communicating with Employers: Experiences of Occupational Therapists Treating People with Musculoskeletal Conditions

Authors: Carol Coole, Emily Birks, Paul J. Watson, Avril Drummond

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 3/2014

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Abstract

Purpose Many employed people with musculoskeletal conditions rely on healthcare practitioners, including occupational therapists, for work-related advice and support. Good communication between healthcare practitioners and employers is considered vital in facilitating work retention and return to work. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of occupational therapists in communicating with patients’ employers. Methods Qualitative data were collected from the responses of occupational therapists to ten statements/open questions in a questionnaire survey of UK occupational therapists. Data were copied verbatim into word documents and analysed thematically. Results A total of 649 comments were made by 143 respondents. Five themes were identified that were associated with communicating with employers: patient-dependent; employer-dependent; therapist-dependent; extrinsic factors; methods of communication. Conclusion This study has identified that communication between occupational therapists and employers is influenced by a number of factors, including those which are outside the therapists’ control. These need to be acknowledged and addressed by therapists, their professional organisation, employers, commissioners, therapy service managers, educators and employees in order to support return-to-work and work retention of people with musculoskeletal conditions.
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Metadata
Title
Communicating with Employers: Experiences of Occupational Therapists Treating People with Musculoskeletal Conditions
Authors
Carol Coole
Emily Birks
Paul J. Watson
Avril Drummond
Publication date
01-09-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-013-9476-3

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