Background: Work-ability is often assessed as part of the vocational rehabilitation process for injured workers. However, research highlights a concern among therapists who carry out vocational assessments that there is a lack of consistency with regard to quality and comprehensiveness using current methods of assessment. One of the reasons for this is that there are no standardized measures of work-ability available that are designed to be used for the purpose of facilitating rehabilitation. The Participation And Work-ability Support Scale (PAWSS) is a new measure, conceptualized and initially developed by Professors Lynne Turner-Stokes and Kathryn McPherson, that was designed to address this gap. Design and Methods: This research was designed to develop the PAWSS measure to the point where it had face validity, and was complete enough to be formally psychometrically tested. The design of the research involved three parts. Firstly, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This was done to identify all the aspects of work functioning that are considered to contribute to work-ability, and then consider currently available work-ability measures in relation to their suitability for assessing vocational support needs. Secondly, in phase one of the research, qualitative focus groups and interviews with stakeholders in the return-to-work process were undertaken. The purpose of this phase was to check the content of the measure against stakeholder experiences, and determine the most appropriate administration context and procedures. Interviews and focus groups were analysed using descriptive analysis, and findings were used to inform revisions to the measure. Finally, phase two of the research involved pilot testing the measure. This was carried out by contracting experienced occupational therapists to test the new measure with consenting workplace assessment clients. Feedback from assessors and injured workers, assessor testing notes and scoring were analysed to examine feasibility and acceptability of the PAWSS, and revisions to the measure were made in accordance with findings.Results: The qualitative interviews and focus groups (phase one) provided feedback and comments that informed adaptations to the measure to bring it more in line with stakeholders’ experiences of work-ability. Furthermore, this phase provided information about the context in which the measure should be administered, and this was adopted for the pilot testing. Pilot testing of the measure (phase two) showed that the measure was acceptable to both the assessors and the injured workers, and that it was feasible to administer as part of a workplace assessment. Revisions to the measure and training procedures at this stage were primarily made to enhance clarity of item descriptions and scoring decisions. Conclusions and implications for practice: Findings from the research confirmed the need for a standardized measure of work-ability that can be used to plan vocational supports and interventions. Furthermore, the PAWSS was shown to be feasible and acceptable as a comprehensive tool for assessment of the work-ability of injured workers. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the PAWSS before it can be used in practice.

Background: Work-ability is often assessed as part of the vocational rehabilitation process for injured workers. However, research highlights a concern among therapists who carry out vocational assessments that there is a lack of consistency with regard to quality and comprehensiveness using current methods of assessment. One of the reasons for this is that there are no standardized measures of work-ability available that are designed to be used for the purpose of facilitating rehabilitation. The Participation And Work-ability Support Scale (PAWSS) is a new measure, conceptualized and initially developed by Professors Lynne Turner-Stokes and Kathryn McPherson, that was designed to address this gap. Design and Methods: This research was designed to develop the PAWSS measure to the point where it had face validity, and was complete enough to be formally psychometrically tested. The design of the research involved three parts. Firstly, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This was done to identify all the aspects of work functioning that are considered to contribute to work-ability, and then consider currently available work-ability measures in relation to their suitability for assessing vocational support needs. Secondly, in phase one of the research, qualitative focus groups and interviews with stakeholders in the return-to-work process were undertaken. The purpose of this phase was to check the content of the measure against stakeholder experiences, and determine the most appropriate administration context and procedures. Interviews and focus groups were analysed using descriptive analysis, and findings were used to inform revisions to the measure. Finally, phase two of the research involved pilot testing the measure. This was carried out by contracting experienced occupational therapists to test the new measure with consenting workplace assessment clients. Feedback from assessors and injured workers, assessor testing notes and scoring were analysed to examine feasibility and acceptability of the PAWSS, and revisions to the measure were made in accordance with findings.Results: The qualitative interviews and focus groups (phase one) provided feedback and comments that informed adaptations to the measure to bring it more in line with stakeholders’ experiences of work-ability. Furthermore, this phase provided information about the context in which the measure should be administered, and this was adopted for the pilot testing. Pilot testing of the measure (phase two) showed that the measure was acceptable to both the assessors and the injured workers, and that it was feasible to administer as part of a workplace assessment. Revisions to the measure and training procedures at this stage were primarily made to enhance clarity of item descriptions and scoring decisions. Conclusions and implications for practice: Findings from the research confirmed the need for a standardized measure of work-ability that can be used to plan vocational supports and interventions. Furthermore, the PAWSS was shown to be feasible and acceptable as a comprehensive tool for assessment of the work-ability of injured workers. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the PAWSS before it can be used in practice.

Background: Work-ability is often assessed as part of the vocational rehabilitation process for injured workers. However, research highlights a concern among therapists who carry out vocational assessments that there is a lack of consistency with regard to quality and comprehensiveness using current methods of assessment. One of the reasons for this is that there are no standardized measures of work-ability available that are designed to be used for the purpose of facilitating rehabilitation. The Participation And Work-ability Support Scale (PAWSS) is a new measure, conceptualized and initially developed by Professors Lynne Turner-Stokes and Kathryn McPherson, that was designed to address this gap. Design and Methods: This research was designed to develop the PAWSS measure to the point where it had face validity, and was complete enough to be formally psychometrically tested. The design of the research involved three parts. Firstly, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This was done to identify all the aspects of work functioning that are considered to contribute to work-ability, and then consider currently available work-ability measures in relation to their suitability for assessing vocational support needs. Secondly, in phase one of the research, qualitative focus groups and interviews with stakeholders in the return-to-work process were undertaken. The purpose of this phase was to check the content of the measure against stakeholder experiences, and determine the most appropriate administration context and procedures. Interviews and focus groups were analysed using descriptive analysis, and findings were used to inform revisions to the measure. Finally, phase two of the research involved pilot testing the measure. This was carried out by contracting experienced occupational therapists to test the new measure with consenting workplace assessment clients. Feedback from assessors and injured workers, assessor testing notes and scoring were analysed to examine feasibility and acceptability of the PAWSS, and revisions to the measure were made in accordance with findings.Results: The qualitative interviews and focus groups (phase one) provided feedback and comments that informed adaptations to the measure to bring it more in line with stakeholders’ experiences of work-ability. Furthermore, this phase provided information about the context in which the measure should be administered, and this was adopted for the pilot testing. Pilot testing of the measure (phase two) showed that the measure was acceptable to both the assessors and the injured workers, and that it was feasible to administer as part of a workplace assessment. Revisions to the measure and training procedures at this stage were primarily made to enhance clarity of item descriptions and scoring decisions. Conclusions and implications for practice: Findings from the research confirmed the need for a standardized measure of work-ability that can be used to plan vocational supports and interventions. Furthermore, the PAWSS was shown to be feasible and acceptable as a comprehensive tool for assessment of the work-ability of injured workers. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the PAWSS before it can be used in practice.

The Work-Disability Functional Assessment Battery (WD-FAB) is a self-reported measure, developed to allow the SSA to collect systematic and comprehensive information about claimants’ functioning. It consists of eight scales: Basic Mobility, Upper Body Function, Fine Motor Function, Community Mobility, Cognition & Communication, Resilience/Sociability, Social Interactions, and Mood & Emotions. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the WD-FAB and apply it as an outcome measure to examine questions relevant to work disability measurement. "Examining Activity Domain Structure of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)" empirically tests the structure of the WHO’s ICF Activity subdomains by comparing it to the empirical structure of the WD-FAB. The comparison found good alignment between the physical function WD-FAB scales and ICF Mobility; several Activity subdomains converge into Cognition & Communication in the WD-FAB. Mental Functions and certain Interpersonal Interactions converge. A re-organization of the subdomains into distinct, measurable constructs is presented for future ICF revisions. "Who Applies to Social Security Disability Programs? Demographic and Functional Differences among Claimants" examines how Social Security disability claimants compare sociodemographically to the working age US population, assesses differences in claimants’ functional status by demographic characteristics, and showcases a method to detect Differential Item Functioning (DIF), which, once controlled for, minimizes measurement error. 17 items displayed DIF, primarily based upon gender. Claimants were sociodemographically different from the general sample and reported lower functioning. Within claimants, there were very few differences of consequence in function between different sociodemographic groups. "Determining Functional Profiles of Common Conditions explores the relationship between diagnoses and function." Common patterns of diagnoses among claimants were identified: musculoskeletal, cancer, multisystem, neurological & sensory, and mental conditions. Many of the diagnosis groups showed unique functional features. The identification of functional profiles for different condition groups suggests that WD-FAB scores may add value to the disability determination process. There is no single litmus test for work disability, but incorporating self-reported experiences is becoming an increasingly common focus in the field. This work demonstrates how a conceptually grounded self-reported measure of functioning can be used to understand the condition of individuals whose health limits their ability to work.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the United States (Kowal, Dall, Chakrabarti, Storm, & Jain, 2013), affecting approximately 1 million Americans (American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 2020). However, there is limited research on the employment experiences of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) (Koerts, Konig, Tucha, & Tucha, 2016). Informed by the capability approach (Sen, 2009) and social cognitive career theory (Lent & Hackett, 1994), this dissertation study addressed gaps in the extant literature, examining what employment options individuals with Parkinson's disease perceive as feasible after disease onset. This research explored the effects of contextual factors on employment options, including how understanding of workplace accommodations influences employment options, the role of discrimination and stigma in shaping employment options, and the extent to which individuals with Parkinson’s disease are receiving work-related decision support from health care providers. The author conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 23 adults under the age of 65 with Parkinson’s disease. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The author utilized an integrated approach to analysis, primarily employing a thematic analysis approach, as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Additionally, a more interpretive analysis strategy (the Listening Guide, as outlined by Gilligan, Spencer, Weinberg & Bertsch, 2003) was integrated into the broader thematic analysis in order to deepen analysis of discrimination and stigma. Findings highlight specific facilitators and barriers to sustaining employment after the onset of PD, exploring how individuals with PD identify and gain crucial access to accommodations. This research demonstrates how a participant’s history of access to workplace accommodations influences participants’ perceived employment options, as well as the perceived effects of work on health. Participants’ narratives demonstrate how stigma and discrimination affect employment experiences and outcomes, influencing participants’ outcome expectations regarding current and future employment options. Participants reported that work-related conversations with health care providers were limited, with the data offering several explanations as to why these conversations were limited in nature. This study provides meaningful insights into the employment experiences of adults with Parkinson’s disease, with potential relevance to the experiences of adults with chronic and/or progressive diseases more broadly. These findings have important implications for social work and health care practice and education, disability policy, early intervention strategies after the onset of PD and priorities for future research. / 2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

Résumé : Problématique: Près de 40% des 57 718 Canadiens ayant subi une arthroplastie du genou entre 2013 et 2014 étaient des travailleurs; la majorité étant âgée entre 55 à 64 ans. Des indices démographiques et législatifs laissent entrevoir que ce nombre continuera d’augmenter dans les prochaines années. Environ 15 à 30% de ces patients éprouvent des difficultés à reprendre ou à demeurer au travail six mois après la chirurgie. Malgré l’ampleur du phénomène, la perspective des travailleurs quant à ces difficultés demeure inconnue. Objectifs : Ce projet vise à mieux comprendre, selon la perspective du travailleur, les mécanismes sous-jacents à reprendre, ou non, une vie saine et active au travail à la suite d’une arthroplastie du genou. Plus précisément, il s’agit de décrire les représentations de l’incapacité au travail de ces travailleurs. Méthode : Ce projet qualitatif est basé sur une approche narrative avec comme cadre conceptuel le modèle d’autorégulation de Leventhal. Un échantillon de convenance de huit travailleurs ayant eu une arthroplastie du genou et éprouvant des difficultés à reprendre ou à demeurer au travail a été recruté. Des entrevues individuelles semi-dirigées ont été conduites. La méthode de Landry a été suivie pour le codage. D’abord, le cadre conceptuel a permis l’élaboration du cahier de codification tout en laissant la place à des codes émergents. Une analyse thématique des verbatim a ensuite été réalisée à l’aide du logiciel AtlasTi par deux codeurs indépendants (PM et MFC) qui ont discuté des codes divergents. Une fois toutes les entrevues codées, des réunions en équipe multidisciplinaire (kinésiologue, psychologue et physiothérapeute) ont eu lieu pour discuter de chaque cas et profiter de l’expertise de chacun des membres de l’équipe pour une analyse en profondeur. Résultats : La moitié des travailleurs rencontrée était absente du travail au moment de l’entrevue. L’émergence de cinq thèmes principaux a permis d’identifier deux cas types, soient retournés au travail avec difficultés, mais présence de soutien, et non retournés. Les travailleurs de la première trajectoire rapportent une implication de l’entreprise dans les démarches de retour au travail et ont les conditions nécessaires pour prendre des moyens actifs afin d’améliorer leur condition. Pour les travailleurs de la deuxième trajectoire, différents obstacles nuisent à la reprise des activités dont des complications postopératoires, une perception d’exigences de travail élevées, un faible soutien de l’environnement de travail et peu de ressources pour les aider. Conclusion : L’identification d’une trajectoire qui est moins favorable au retour au travail permet d’identifier les travailleurs à risque d’être en situation d’incapacité au travail. Ces travailleurs pourraient bénéficier de services en réadaptation au travail pour favoriser la reprise d’une vie saine et active après l’arthroplastie du genou. / Abstract : Purpose: Nearly 40% of the 57,718 Canadians who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2013 and 2014 were workers; the majority of them were aged from 55 to 64 years. Demographic and legislative indications suggest that this number will increase in the coming years. Actually, 15 to 30% of these patients report limitations at work or are not able to return to work six months after the surgery. Despite this growing phenomenon, workers’ insight on what influence work disability remains unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the worker’s perspective on what contributes or impedes the return to an active working life after TKA. Specifically, we aimed to document workers’ representations of their disability following TKA. Method: This qualitative study was conducted based on a narrative approach using Leventhal’s Common Sense Model (CSM) as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample of eight workers experiencing limitations while at work or being fully disabled (on sick leave) after TKA was interviewed. We conducted semistructured interviews, and then we followed Landry’s method for coding. First, we used a mixed coding method whereby codes were established a priori using the CSM with the possibility for emergent codes. Second, two researchers (PM and MFC) independently coded all interviews, compared the codes, and discussed diverging results. Third, after coding all interviews and based on the coding, content analysis was performed in multidisciplinary team (psychologist, physiotherapist, kinesiologist). Each interview was discussed by the team to compare the analysis and to obtain consensus as we believe our disciplinary backgrounds might impact interpretation of the data by bringing new information to the case. Content analysis was performed with Atlas-Ti software. Results: Half of the workers were fully disabled because of TKA. We identified two typical cases: workers who returned to work with difficulties but perceived support from their environment and workers who did not returned to work. The workers that returned to work reported involvement of their work environment in the return-to-work process. They felt they had greater improvement after TKA, and this enables them to further improve their condition. Workers who did not return to work encountered various obstacles such as ostoperative complications, a more physically-demanding job, negligible support from their work environment, and few resources to help them. Conclusion: The identification of a case that is less favorable to return to work allowed us to identify workers at risk of work disability. These workers could benefit from work rehabilitation services in order to promote a better active working life after TKA.

In Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees at risk for sustaining permanent disability may be eligible for receipt of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services if they are determined to be capable of benefitting from such services. VR services can be a valuable resource to injured employees who need assistance minimizing their work disability and maximizing their residual wage-earning capacity. However, for VR services to be effective at a system level, it is necessary to precisely and accurately identify an injured employee’s rehabilitation potential. Failure to do so is likely to result in the misallocation of a scarce and costly resource. Given recent trends in Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system (e.g., higher VR service costs and lower RTW rates among injured employees with indemnity claims), this study was conducted with the purpose of developing and validating an objective, evidence-based method of predicting the RTW status as of claim closure of injured Minnesota employees who sustained permanent impairment and received VR services. To accomplish this purpose, a closed-claim, retrospective design was implemented. Data for this cross-sectional study was obtained from the Minnesota administrative claims database. There were 15,372 claims that met all eligibility criteria. With guidance from the biopsychosocial disablement models developed by Nagi and the World Health Organization, 15 discrete predictor variables that represented medical, individual, and workplace factors were selected for study inclusion. Descriptive and predictive analyses were used to assess the relationship between this study’s RTW outcome and its set of RTW predictors. Using logistic regression, an optimal RTW model was first developed and then internally validated with a split-dataset approach. The optimal RTW model included four main effects (attorney involvement; severity of permanent impairment; age; job tenure) and three first-order interaction effects (pre-injury average weekly wage X pre-injury industry; attorney involvement X severity of permanent impairment; attorney involvement X job tenure). Though not retained in the optimal RTW model, part of body affected and education also had notable bivariate relationships with the outcome. The optimal RTW model’s performance regarding goodness-of-fit and clinical usefulness suggests it may be of value to those assessing rehabilitation potential within Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system.

Este estudo objetivou a adaptação transcultural do Work Disability Diagnosis Interview (WoDDI) para o contexto brasileiro. Este guia de entrevista estruturada foi desenvolvido pela Universidade de Sherbrooke (Canadá) para ajudar os profissionais de saúde a detectarem os fatores preditivos de maior importância para incapacidades relacionadas ao trabalho e a identificarem uma ou mais causas de absenteísmo prolongado do trabalho. Foi realizado obedecendo-se às recomendações internacionais e princípios éticos para pesquisas com seres humanos. Foram observadas as seguintes fases: tradução inicial, síntese das traduções, retrotradução, avaliação por Comitê de Especialistas e teste da versão pré-final. Após as fases de tradução inicial e retrotradução, o WoDDI foi submetido ao Comitê de Especialistas para validação das equivalências conceitual, semântica, idiomática, experencial e operacional, além da Validação de Conteúdo. Esta análise desencadeou em adaptações dos termos que apresentaram percentual de Validade de Conteúdo inferior a 90% entre os especialistas. A amostra da população-alvo para aplicação em pré-teste contou com a participação de 30 trabalhadores do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo, afastados devido a problemas de saúde relacionados ao trabalho. A coleta de dados foi realizada por um médico ortopedista e pela pesquisadora, que aplicaram o guia de entrevista em duas partes, sequencialmente. Os resultados foram obtidos por meio da análise da compreensibilidade dos itens pelos entrevistadores e pela população de estudo. Para os entrevistadores, que avaliaram as seções referentes ao exame físico, o WoDDI foi considerado bastante completo e fácil de aplicar. Pequenas alterações operacionais foram propostas, com o intuito de facilitar o entendimento dos entrevistadores. A explicação detalhada dos testes, manobras e demais exames foi construída com este mesmo objetivo. Os termos que apresentaram dificuldade de compreensão em, pelo menos, 15% da população do pré-teste, foram passíveis de alteração. Para facilitar o uso do WoDDI, foi elaborado um manual de orientações para sua aplicação, contemplando a explicação de todas as seções, itens, questões e indicadores presentes no guia de entrevista. Estas orientações auxiliam os entrevistadores na interpretação dos itens, nas formas de questionamento e no modo de realização dos testes, manobras e demais exames. Por tratar-se de um guia de entrevista qualitativo, que confere certa flexibilidade àqueles que o utilizam, além de facilitar o entendimento, tais orientações também ratificam os conceitos abordados e a forma correta para condução da entrevista, conferindo maior credibilidade durante o processo. A conclusão deste estudo demonstra que o WoDDI está adaptado para a realidade brasileira, podendo ser utilizado por profissionais e serviços interessados nos assuntos de incapacidade relacionada ao trabalho. / This study aimed the cross-cultural adaptation process of the Work Disability Diagnosis Interview (WoDDI) for the Brazilian context. This structured interview guide was developed by University of Sherbrooke (Canada) to help clinicians to detect the most important disability predictors work-related and to identify one or more causes of prolonged absenteeism from work. It was performed following international standards and ethical principles for human research. It was observed the following steps: initial translation, synthesis of the translations, back translation, review by the Expert Committee and testing of the pre-final version. After the initial translation and back translation steps, the WoDDI was submitted to the Expert Committee to validation of the conceptual, semantic, idiomatic, experiential and operational equivalences, as the Content Validity. This analysis triggered in adjustments of the terms that presented Contend Validity percentage below 90% among experts. The sample of target-population for pre-test was composed by 30 workers of the University Hospital of University of Sao Paulo, absent of work due workrelated health problems. The data collect was performed by an orthopedic physician and a researcher, which apply the interview guide in two parts, sequentially. The results were obtained through comprehensibility analysis of the items by interviewers and by research subjects. For the interviewers, who assessed the sections of the physical exams, the WoDDI was considered complete and easy to apply. Some operational changes were done to facilitate understanding of the interviewers. The explanation detailed of the tests, maneuvers and other exams was constructed with the same goal. The terms that presented comprehensibility difficulties in, at least, 15% of pre-test population, were changed. In order to facilitate the WoDDI administration, it was elaborated a guidance handbook with explanation of all sections, items, questions and indicators of the interview guide. These guidelines help the interviewers in the items interpretation, questioning ways and how to conduct the tests, maneuvers and other exams. Being a qualitative interview guide, which gives some flexibility to the interviewers, these guidelines also reinforce the concepts discussed and the correct way to conduct the interview, giving greater credibility of the process. The conclusion of this study shows that the WoDDI is adapted to Brazilian context and it can be used by professionals and services interesting in work disability prevention issues.

Este estudo objetivou a adaptação transcultural do Work Disability Diagnosis Interview (WoDDI) para o contexto brasileiro. Este guia de entrevista estruturada foi desenvolvido pela Universidade de Sherbrooke (Canadá) para ajudar os profissionais de saúde a detectarem os fatores preditivos de maior importância para incapacidades relacionadas ao trabalho e a identificarem uma ou mais causas de absenteísmo prolongado do trabalho. Foi realizado obedecendo-se às recomendações internacionais e princípios éticos para pesquisas com seres humanos. Foram observadas as seguintes fases: tradução inicial, síntese das traduções, retrotradução, avaliação por Comitê de Especialistas e teste da versão pré-final. Após as fases de tradução inicial e retrotradução, o WoDDI foi submetido ao Comitê de Especialistas para validação das equivalências conceitual, semântica, idiomática, experencial e operacional, além da Validação de Conteúdo. Esta análise desencadeou em adaptações dos termos que apresentaram percentual de Validade de Conteúdo inferior a 90% entre os especialistas. A amostra da população-alvo para aplicação em pré-teste contou com a participação de 30 trabalhadores do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo, afastados devido a problemas de saúde relacionados ao trabalho. A coleta de dados foi realizada por um médico ortopedista e pela pesquisadora, que aplicaram o guia de entrevista em duas partes, sequencialmente. Os resultados foram obtidos por meio da análise da compreensibilidade dos itens pelos entrevistadores e pela população de estudo. Para os entrevistadores, que avaliaram as seções referentes ao exame físico, o WoDDI foi considerado bastante completo e fácil de aplicar. Pequenas alterações operacionais foram propostas, com o intuito de facilitar o entendimento dos entrevistadores. A explicação detalhada dos testes, manobras e demais exames foi construída com este mesmo objetivo. Os termos que apresentaram dificuldade de compreensão em, pelo menos, 15% da população do pré-teste, foram passíveis de alteração. Para facilitar o uso do WoDDI, foi elaborado um manual de orientações para sua aplicação, contemplando a explicação de todas as seções, itens, questões e indicadores presentes no guia de entrevista. Estas orientações auxiliam os entrevistadores na interpretação dos itens, nas formas de questionamento e no modo de realização dos testes, manobras e demais exames. Por tratar-se de um guia de entrevista qualitativo, que confere certa flexibilidade àqueles que o utilizam, além de facilitar o entendimento, tais orientações também ratificam os conceitos abordados e a forma correta para condução da entrevista, conferindo maior credibilidade durante o processo. A conclusão deste estudo demonstra que o WoDDI está adaptado para a realidade brasileira, podendo ser utilizado por profissionais e serviços interessados nos assuntos de incapacidade relacionada ao trabalho. / This study aimed the cross-cultural adaptation process of the Work Disability Diagnosis Interview (WoDDI) for the Brazilian context. This structured interview guide was developed by University of Sherbrooke (Canada) to help clinicians to detect the most important disability predictors work-related and to identify one or more causes of prolonged absenteeism from work. It was performed following international standards and ethical principles for human research. It was observed the following steps: initial translation, synthesis of the translations, back translation, review by the Expert Committee and testing of the pre-final version. After the initial translation and back translation steps, the WoDDI was submitted to the Expert Committee to validation of the conceptual, semantic, idiomatic, experiential and operational equivalences, as the Content Validity. This analysis triggered in adjustments of the terms that presented Contend Validity percentage below 90% among experts. The sample of target-population for pre-test was composed by 30 workers of the University Hospital of University of Sao Paulo, absent of work due workrelated health problems. The data collect was performed by an orthopedic physician and a researcher, which apply the interview guide in two parts, sequentially. The results were obtained through comprehensibility analysis of the items by interviewers and by research subjects. For the interviewers, who assessed the sections of the physical exams, the WoDDI was considered complete and easy to apply. Some operational changes were done to facilitate understanding of the interviewers. The explanation detailed of the tests, maneuvers and other exams was constructed with the same goal. The terms that presented comprehensibility difficulties in, at least, 15% of pre-test population, were changed. In order to facilitate the WoDDI administration, it was elaborated a guidance handbook with explanation of all sections, items, questions and indicators of the interview guide. These guidelines help the interviewers in the items interpretation, questioning ways and how to conduct the tests, maneuvers and other exams. Being a qualitative interview guide, which gives some flexibility to the interviewers, these guidelines also reinforce the concepts discussed and the correct way to conduct the interview, giving greater credibility of the process. The conclusion of this study shows that the WoDDI is adapted to Brazilian context and it can be used by professionals and services interesting in work disability prevention issues.

No description available.