Abstract
PurposeTo assess: (1) whether work ability and work-functioning instruments can detect relevant changes in their respective parameters following a return to work (RTW) and (2) what proportion of those returning to work show changes in their work ability and work functioning.MethodsA total of 1073 workers who returned to work after at least 2 weeks of sick leave were invited to fill out three questionnaires in the first 8 weeks after RTW. These consisted of an appraisal of general, physical, and mental/emotional work ability (scores 0–10) and a work-functioning questionnaire (scores 0–100). Minimal Important Change (MIC) was defined to determine the proportion of people, whose scores had changed at weeks 5 and 8 following RTW. The Smallest Detectable Change (SDC) was determined to put the MIC in perspective of measurement error.ResultsOf all participants, 235 were eligible for the analysis. All MIC values were below the SDC and thus not suitable for use. The SDC for work ability was 2.2 and 19.9 for work functioning. In the first 5 weeks after RTW, 10–15% showed a relevant, measurable improvement in work ability, and work functioning based on the SDC margins.ConclusionsBoth instruments were unable to identify change after RTW adequately. We can conclude that 10–15% of individuals showed improvement in work ability and work functioning in the first 5 weeks after RTW when SDC is used.
Highlights
Work ability and work functioning are important parameters in a working population
235 participants were eligible for participation in this research, after 73 people were excluded, because their date of return to work (RTW) was over 2 weeks ago, or they did not return to their original workplace
Because the Minimal Important Change (MIC) values fall within the measurement error, the Smallest Detectable Change (SDC) values must be used to determine change (Rysstad et al 2017; van Kampen et al 2013)
Summary
Work ability and work functioning are important parameters in a working population. Both concepts relate to a workers’ assessment of being capable of carrying out the work given his or her health condition. Work ability is a generic term that includes all aspects of the ability to work at once, and work functioning focusses on several domains that have influence on the functioning of a worker. When workers are signed off sick, the work ability and work functioning are affected. The goal for occupational physicians and other
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