Supporting work participation for adults with hand and upper limb conditions: A survey of the British Association of hand therapists

Author:

Newington Lisa123ORCID,Ceh Daniel4ORCID,Sandford Fiona45ORCID,Parsons Vaughan367ORCID,Madan Ira367ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Barts Bone and Joint Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

2. Hand Therapy, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK

3. London Centre for Work and Health, London, UK

4. Hand Therapy, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

5. School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, School of Life Couse and Population Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK

6. Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

7. Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK

Abstract

Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders affect over a third of the UK adult population and are a common reason for sick leave from work. The aims of this study were to describe the reported provision of work participation support for adults with hand and upper limb conditions by UK hand therapists, and to identify potential training needs in this area. Methods A previous survey of the Australian Hand Therapy Association was adapted for the UK. The electronic questionnaire was distributed to members of the British Association of Hand Therapists. Eligible individuals were UK-based occupational therapists or physiotherapists whose role included the assessment and/or treatment of patients ≥18 years with hand or upper limb issues. Results There were 123 participants (17% response rate). The most frequently reported work participation interventions were discussing graded return to work and sign-posting patients to speak with their doctor. The Allied Health Professionals Health and Work Report and Fit Note were not regularly used, and respondents reported low levels of confidence in issuing these documents. Barriers to providing work recommendations included a perceived lack of time, skills, knowledge and training. Facilitators included the patient discussing work as a rehabilitation goal. Conclusion Development opportunities for UK hand therapists include increasing patient awareness that they can ask for work-related advice and documentation, promoting existing health and work training, developing hand therapy-specific resources, and ensuring access to electronic Fit Notes. International opportunities include the continuation of this survey with a focus on generating exemplar work participation strategies to inform further research.

Funder

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust

Publisher

SAGE Publications

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3