Eleanor Boyle1,2, J David Cassidy1,2, Pierre Côté2,3,4. 1. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 2. Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Oshawa, Canada. 4. UOIT-CMCC Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Oshawa, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In occupational rehabilitation programs, return-to-work is a key outcome measure; however, the studies either used different definitions for return-to-work or do not provide their definition. In order to provide a solution to this issue, we developed a self-report return-to-work measure. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the reliability and validity of a self-report return-to-work questionnaire in a cohort of workers with a work-related injury. METHODS: Two research assistants independently administered the baseline questionnaires and a follow-up questionnaire. The questionnaires contained work-related questions (e.g., currently working, if duties changed) that were used to create a four-category work status measure. Pain-related and a recovery questions were also asked. We obtained loss of earnings data from the compensation board. The short-term reliability and convergent validity were assessed. RESULTS: We recruited 75 workers, and 57 completed the test-re-test baseline questionnaire, and 51 completed the follow-up. The mean age was 45.4 years and 57% were female. The participants had a mixture of musculoskeletal injuries. Most were in the acute stage, but 17% of the participants were injured for more than a year. The short-term reliability of current working status had a kappa value of 0.90. Participants who were not working had higher levels of pain-related disability than those who were working. The kappa value for the agreement between self-reported working status and administrative data on receiving any loss of earnings payment was around 0.65. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence of reliability and validity for a new return-to-work measure.
BACKGROUND: In occupational rehabilitation programs, return-to-work is a key outcome measure; however, the studies either used different definitions for return-to-work or do not provide their definition. In order to provide a solution to this issue, we developed a self-report return-to-work measure. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the reliability and validity of a self-report return-to-work questionnaire in a cohort of workers with a work-related injury. METHODS: Two research assistants independently administered the baseline questionnaires and a follow-up questionnaire. The questionnaires contained work-related questions (e.g., currently working, if duties changed) that were used to create a four-category work status measure. Pain-related and a recovery questions were also asked. We obtained loss of earnings data from the compensation board. The short-term reliability and convergent validity were assessed. RESULTS: We recruited 75 workers, and 57 completed the test-re-test baseline questionnaire, and 51 completed the follow-up. The mean age was 45.4 years and 57% were female. The participants had a mixture of musculoskeletal injuries. Most were in the acute stage, but 17% of the participants were injured for more than a year. The short-term reliability of current working status had a kappa value of 0.90. Participants who were not working had higher levels of pain-related disability than those who were working. The kappa value for the agreement between self-reported working status and administrative data on receiving any loss of earnings payment was around 0.65. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence of reliability and validity for a new return-to-work measure.
Authors: Christopher Papic; Annette Kifley; Ashley Craig; Genevieve Grant; Alex Collie; Ilaria Pozzato; Belinda Gabbe; Sarah Derrett; Trudy Rebbeck; Jagnoor Jagnoor; Ian D Cameron Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-08-05 Impact factor: 4.135