Failure to communicate: how terminology and forms confuse the work ability/disability evaluation process.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current confusion in physician communication of patient work ability to insurers and employers.
BACKGROUND: Many medical conditions cause patients difficulty with resuming their normal work activities. Employers and insurers frequently ask physicians for information on patient's work ability.
METHODS: A narrative review of the current status of physician communication to employers and insurers.
RESULTS: Physicians frequently fail to understand the terms risk, capacity, and tolerance. Also, the forms sent to physicians by insurers and employers are themselves a problem.
CONCLUSION: Physicians need to be educated in work ability assessment, and the forms used for communication need to be standardized.