Abstract
As noted in various chapters throughout this handbook, musculoskeletal pain disorders involve injury disorders of muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, cartilage, and/or spinal discs, and they represent the most costly, disabling, prevalent, and commonly researched conditions in the workplace (Merriam-Webster, 2012; Schultz, Stowell, Feuerstein, & Gatchel, 2007; U.S. Department of Labor, 2011). However, it has been noted that comprehensive conceptual models of return to work (RTW) for these pain-related conditions are still lacking (U.S. Department of Labor, 2011). Although many researchers and clinicians from various fields, including occupational medicine, nursing, rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, exercise physiology, physical and occupational therapy, ergonomics, engineering, psychology, vocational counseling, economics, and public health, have devoted a significant amount of time and effort into accumulating knowledge related to the prevention of musculoskeletal pain disorders and associated disability, a single theoretical framework combining these fields remains elusive. Indeed, since an earlier review article published by Schultz et al. (2007), no substantial advancements in developing an integrative comprehensive conceptual model of RTW have been made. However, the roles of fear of movement, depression, catastrophizing, and perception of injustice in musculoskeletal and other pain disorders have become better understood (e.g., Sullivan, Adams, Martel, Scott, & Wideman, 2011; Sullivan, Scott, & Trost, 2012; Wideman & Sullivan, 2012). Most recently, the role of perceived uncertainty as a key factor in formation of expectations of RTW has come to light (Stewart, Polak, Young, & Schultz, 2012), and its potential importance in the conceptualization of RTW will be explored. In this chapter, we will first discuss the current way in which RTW and disability are defined and then provide a summary of the current conceptual models. These models include the biomedical, the psychosocial, the forensic, the ecological/case management, and the biopsychosocial (see Table 24.1). The chapter will also focus on more recently articulated ergonomic models of RTW, such as the models presented by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Knauf, M.T., Schultz, I.Z., Stewart, A.M., Gatchel, R.J. (2014). Models of Return to Work for Musculoskeletal Disorders: Advances in Conceptualization and Research. In: Gatchel, R., Schultz, I. (eds) Handbook of Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Disorders in the Workplace. Handbooks in Health, Work, and Disability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0612-3_24
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