The assessment of work endurance in disability evaluations across European countries.
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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Chronic disease is often associated with a reduced energy level, which limits the capacity to work full-time. This study aims to investigate whether the construct work endurance is part of disability assessment in European countries and what assessment procedures are used. We defined work endurance as the ability to sustain working activities for a number of hours per day and per week.Materials and methods
We conducted a survey using two self-constructed questionnaires. We addressed 35 experts from 19 countries through the European Union of Medicine in Assurance and Social Security (EUMASS). We gathered descriptive data on various aspects of (the assessment of) work endurance.Results
Experts from 16 countries responded. In most countries work endurance is assessed. We found few professional guidelines specific for the assessment of work endurance. Both somatic and mental diseases may cause limited work endurance. Methods to assess work endurance vary, objective methods rating as most suitable. Almost half of the countries report controversies on the assessment of work endurance.Conclusions
Work endurance is recognised and assessed as an aspect of work disability assessment in Europe. However, controversies exist and evidence based guidelines, including reliable and valid methods to assess work endurance, are lacking.
SUBMITTER: Boersema HJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6141062 | biostudies-literature | 2018
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
The assessment of work endurance in disability evaluations across European countries.
Boersema Henk-Jan HJ Cornelius Bert B de Boer Wout E L WEL van der Klink Jac J L JJL Brouwer Sandra S
PloS one 20180917 9
<h4>Purpose</h4>Chronic disease is often associated with a reduced energy level, which limits the capacity to work full-time. This study aims to investigate whether the construct work endurance is part of disability assessment in European countries and what assessment procedures are used. We defined work endurance as the ability to sustain working activities for a number of hours per day and per week.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>We conducted a survey using two self-constructed questionnaires. W ...[more]
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