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Published in:

01-03-2012

Injured Workers’ Construction of Expectations of Return to Work with Sub-Acute Back Pain: The Role of Perceived Uncertainty

Authors: Alison M. Stewart, Emily Polak, Richard Young, Izabela Z. Schultz

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the formation of expectations of return to work (RTW) from the perspective of injured workers with back injuries. This modified grounded theory study uses a biopsychosocial approach that considers the workers’ complex social circumstances, to unpack the multidimensional construct of expectations of RTW from the injured worker’s perspective. Method: Initial semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 individuals with sub-acute back pain, who were off work between 3 and 6 months. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 7 participants for the purposes of member checking. The interview data was coded, compared and analyzed over the course of data collection, until saturation was reached. Results: Data analysis revealed that expectations of return-to-work are constructed based on perceived uncertainty which subsumes five inter-related categories (1) perceived lack of control over the return-to-work process, (2) perceived lack of recognition by others of the impact of the injury, (3) perceived inability to perform the pre-injury job, (4) fear of re-injury, and (5) perceived need for workplace accommodations. Expectations, once formed, were influenced by the worker’s experience of coping with perceived uncertainty. Conclusion: Perceived uncertainty plays a key role in injured workers’ formation of expectations of return-to-work. Implications are discussed regarding how this perceived uncertainty plays a role in the development of (re)injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. The importance of further research on perceived uncertainty is presented, along with potential future research considerations.

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Title: Injured Workers’ Construction of Expectations of Return to Work with Sub-Acute Back Pain: The Role of Perceived Uncertainty
Authors: Alison M. Stewart
Emily Polak
Richard Young
Izabela Z. Schultz
Publication date: 01-03-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9312-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Injured Workers’ Construction of Expectations of Return to Work with Sub-Acute Back Pain: The Role of Perceived Uncertainty

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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