@article{ShawCampbellJacobsetal.2010, author = {Shaw, L. and Campbell, H. and Jacobs, K. and Prodinger, Birgit}, title = {Twenty years of Assessment in WORK: A narrative review}, series = {Work}, volume = {35}, journal = {Work}, number = {3}, pages = {257 -- 267}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Introduction: The aim of this review was to gain an understanding of the first 20 years of contributions to WORK within the assessment domain and to reflect on the perspectives underscoring this knowledge base. Method: A narrative review of assessment articles using the WORK ARTicle database was conducted. Assessment articles were searched using issues from 1990 to 2009. Descriptive data was analyzed to examine historical trends of the specific types and dimensions of articles, the regional location of the contributions, and the methodological accordance. A reflective process was used by an editorial board member of WORK to inductively interpret perspectives and contextual issues that underpinned the evolution of the assessment domain in WORK. Results: Over half of N= 108 of the articles on assessment in WORK focused on establishing or reporting reliability and validity of assessments used in clinical practice or evaluation research. The majority of the assessment articles were predominantly focused on the person. Contributions of articles were from 5 regions: North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Conclusions: Assessment articles in WORK have contributed to the development of evidence to support assessment of the worker. These articles represent a knowledge base that emphasizes evidence-based assessments to evaluate what a person can and cannot do to participate in work. Efforts are needed to expand knowledge generation in assessment to include more evaluations on the workplace and occupation dimensions, and that also considers the worker in context.}, language = {en} } @article{ProdingerMagalhaes2010, author = {Prodinger, Birgit and Magalhaes, L.}, title = {Advancing knowledge in work-related rehabilitation - Review of research published in the journal of WORK}, series = {Work}, volume = {35}, journal = {Work}, number = {3}, pages = {301 -- 318}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objective: Many studies published in the journal WORK in the recent decades have discussed work and employment trends. However, the dimensions of these contributions over time have not been reviewed. The main objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge development in regard to work-related rehabilitation in WORK over the last two decades. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the following five stages: (i) identifying research question, (ii) identifying relevant studies, (iii) study selection, (iv) charting, summarizing, and collating the data, and (v) reporting the results. Studies were selected from the WORK Article Database. Results: Seventy-five relevant studies were identified. The findings reflect that WORK has published papers from across the world, with most of the studies from the United States, Sweden, Canada, and Hong Kong. The complexity and multi-factorial nature of work-related rehabilitation was reflected in the application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research approaches, as well as case studies. Study participants were characterized by work, and non-work related injuries, systematic diseases/chronic illness, fulfilled certain socio-demographic characteristic, and represented various stakeholders. Fewer studies drew on secondary resources. In the findings one re-occurring theme has been noted: 'maintaining/obtaining/returning to secure and stable employment/work'. Conclusions: Four key-reflections evolved from this scoping review that provide potential avenues for future research. These key-reflections include (i) the national, transnational and international dimension of the reviewed studies, (ii) the various societal levels informing work-related rehabilitation practices, (iii) the diversity of methodologies applied in current research, and (iv) the variability of terminology used within the reviewed studies. The journal WORK has published a variety of research over the last two decades and contributed significantly to our current understanding of work-related rehabilitation. However, further research in these reflective areas would expand the current knowledge base.}, language = {en} } @article{ProdingerStamm2010, author = {Prodinger, Birgit and Stamm, T. A.}, title = {Self-reflection as a means for personal transformation: An analysis of women's life stories living with a chronic disease}, series = {Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research}, volume = {11}, journal = {Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research}, number = {4}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The aim of this secondary analysis is to explicate taken-for-granted practices in the health care system in which the life stories of six women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are embedded. A secondary analysis of life stories of six women with RA, which were assigned to a typology named "rheumatoid arthritis as a source for new challenges" (STAMM et al., 2008) in the primary narrative study, was conducted. The theoretical framework applied for the analysis was informed by feminist standpoint theory and feminist philosophy. In the present analysis, each of the women challenged established health care practices and the cognitive authority of medicine at a certain point in their life story reflections. Becoming more conscious about health care practices enabled the women to acknowledge their own knowledge and to make choices about their health. The findings challenge health care providers to engage in critical reflexivity to become conscious about and to transform taken-for-granted practices as embedded in larger systems and to create health care environments that enable dialogue between clients and health care providers.}, language = {en} } @article{StammMacholdSmolenetal.2010, author = {Stamm, T. A. and Machold, K. P. and Smolen, J. and Prodinger, Birgit}, title = {Life stories of people with rheumatoid arthritis who retired early: how gender and other contextual factors shaped their everyday activities, including paid work}, series = {Musculoskeletal Care}, volume = {8}, journal = {Musculoskeletal Care}, number = {2}, pages = {78 -- 86}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore how contextual factors affect the everyday activities of women and men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as evident in their life stories. Methods: Fifteen people with RA, who had retired early due to the disease, were interviewed up to three times, according to a narrative biographic interview style. The life stories of the participants, which were reconstructed from the biographical data and from the transcribed 'told story' were analysed from the perspective of contextual factors, including personal and environmental factors. The rigour and accuracy of the analysis were enhanced by reflexivity and peer-review of the results. Results: The life stories of the participants in this study reflected how contextual factors (such as gender, the healthcare system, the support of families and social and cultural values) shaped their everyday activities. In a society such as in Austria, which is based on traditional patriarchal values, men were presented with difficulties in developing a non-paid-work-related role. For women, if paid work had to be given up, they were more likely to engage in alternative challenging activities which enabled them to develop reflective skills, which in turn contributed to a positive and enriching perspective on their life stories. Health professionals may thus use some of the women's strategies to help men. Conclusion: Interventions by health professionals in people with RA may benefit from an approach sensitive to personal and environmental factors.}, language = {en} } @article{ProdingerWeiseShawetal.2010, author = {Prodinger, Birgit and Weise, A. P. and Shaw, L. and Stamm, T. A.}, title = {A Delphi study on Environmental Factors that impact work and social life participation of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis in Austria and Switzerland}, series = {Disability and Rehabilitation}, volume = {32}, journal = {Disability and Rehabilitation}, number = {3}, pages = {183 -- 195}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Purpose: This study aimed to gain knowledge about environmental factors (EFs) that impact work and social life participation of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Austria and Switzerland to extend the knowledge of participation and to identify key areas for measuring participation. Method: A three-round Delphi study was conducted defining patients as experts. In the 1st round, qualitative data was gathered through questionnaires, analyzed with content analysis, and factors were assigned to EFs as classified in the ICF. In the 2nd and 3rd round, experts judged EFs according to its relevance to obtain consensus (cut-off 75\%). Categories were ranked on a scale from mostly important to important. Results: One hundred and twelve Austrian and 109 Swiss experts were recruited. The content analysis revealed 768 EFs. The study resulted in a list of 176 consensus factors for Austria and 177 Switzerland. Five categories revealed to be highly important, 12 moderately important, 6 fairly important, and 10 important. Conclusions: This study indicates that participation in work or social life is influenced by physical, social, attitudinal, and policy factors. Consensus factors afford insights into areas for consideration in the development of participation outcome measurements and support a comprehensive and inclusive rehabilitation approach.}, language = {en} } @article{BauernfeindAringerProdingeretal.2009, author = {Bauernfeind, B. and Aringer, M. and Prodinger, Birgit and Kirchberger, I. and Machold, K. and Smolen, J. and Stamm, T.}, title = {Identification of relevant concepts of functioning in daily life in people with systematic Lupus Erythematosus: A patient Delphi exercise}, series = {Arthritis Care \& Research}, volume = {61}, journal = {Arthritis Care \& Research}, number = {1}, pages = {21 -- 28}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Objective To identify the most important and relevant concepts of daily functioning from the perspective of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We conducted a consensus-building, 3-round, electronic mail survey with SLE patients using the Delphi technique. The Delphi technique is a structured communication process with 4 key characteristics: anonymity, iteration with controlled feedback, statistical group response, and informed input. The concepts contained in the answers of the patients were extracted and linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Results Of the total 225 participants, 194 (86.2\%) completed the questionnaires from all 3 Delphi rounds. In total, after the third Delphi round, 307 concepts were identified. Ninety concepts (55 in the domain body functions and structures, 16 in activities and participation, and 19 in environmental factors) were considered relevant by at least 50\% of the participants in the third round and linked to the ICF. Twelve concepts were considered important by at least 75\% of the participants. Conclusion The high number of concepts resulting from this large-scale patient Delphi approach underlines the great variety of SLE patients' problems in daily functioning. The results of this patient Delphi project supplement the findings of our focus-group study in establishing a comprehensive overview of the patient perspective in SLE.}, language = {en} } @article{StammVanderGiesenThorstenssonetal.2009, author = {Stamm, T. and Van der Giesen, F. and Thorstensson, C. and Steen, E. and Birrell, F. and Bauernfeind, B. and Marshall, N. and Prodinger, Birgit and Machold, K. and Smolen, J. and Kloppenburg, M.}, title = {Patient perspective of hand osteoarthritis in relation to concepts covered by instruments measuring functioning: a qualitative European multicentre study}, series = {Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases}, volume = {68}, journal = {Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases}, number = {9}, pages = {1453 -- 1460}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Objective: To explore whether the concepts important to patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) are covered by the most commonly used instruments measuring functioning. Method: A qualitative multicentre study using a focus group technique was performed in five European countries: Austria, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The qualitative data analysis followed a modified form of "meaning condensation" and used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a theoretical framework. Finally, the concepts from the focus groups were compared with the content of the most commonly used instruments which had been identified in an earlier theoretical analysis. Results: Fifty-six people (51 women, mean (SD) age 62.7 (7.9) years) with hand OA participated in this study in two focus groups per centre. 63 concepts were extracted from the focus groups. Twenty-one (33\%) of the 63 concepts were covered by at least one instrument. Psychological consequences, different qualities of pain, aesthetic changes and leisure activities are important concepts from the focus groups which were not covered by the instruments. The qualitative analysis revealed detailed descriptions of pain-concerning sensations, levels and a certain relation to activity, none of which were fully represented in the instruments routinely used. Conclusion: It was possible to combine the concepts of the focus groups from each centre into a common qualitative analysis. The concepts important to people with hand OA are not fully represented in the most commonly used instruments.}, language = {en} } @article{ProdingerCiezaWilliamsetal.2008, author = {Prodinger, Birgit and Cieza, A. and Williams, D.A. and Mease, P. and Boonen, A. and Kerschan-Schindl, K. and Fialka-Moser, V. and Smolen, J. and Stucki, G. and Machold, K. and Stamm, T.}, title = {Measuring health in patients with fibromyalgia: Content comparison of questionnaires based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)}, series = {Arthritis Care \& Research}, volume = {59}, journal = {Arthritis Care \& Research}, number = {5}, pages = {650 -- 658}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Objective To analyze the content of outcome measures commonly used to assess health in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) by linking the items of the instruments with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in order to evaluate the adequacy of currently used measures. Methods Questionnaires used in FM were identified in a structured literature search. All concepts included in the items of the questionnaires were linked to ICF categories, according to previously published linking rules, by 2 independent health professionals. The percentages of linked ICF categories addressing the different ICF components were calculated. Results Generic and symptom-specific instruments were included. From the 296 items contained in all 16 instruments, 447 concepts were extracted and then linked to 52 ICF categories of the component body functions, 1 category of the component body structure, 40 categories of the component activities and participation, and 9 categories of the component environmental factors. More than half of the concepts identified were linked to body function, fewer were linked to activities and participation, and only concepts of 4 instruments were linked to the ICF component environmental factors. Conclusion Many concepts were linked to the categories in the ICF component body functions. While linking to the broad category, purportedly similar instruments often covered widely varying areas of function at more fine-grained levels of detail. Some categories, such as environmental factors, were barely covered by any of the instruments and might constitute an important aspect of health deserving better coverage and future development.}, language = {en} }