Working with chronic health conditions and the disclosure decision-conflict: Development of a web-based interactive self-test to support an informed decision – A brief report

Article type: Brief Report

Authors: Greifenberg, Anja | Bauer, Jana F.^{; *} | Chakraverty, Veronika | Niehaus, Mathilde

Affiliations: University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Jana F. Bauer, Chair of Labour and Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Cologne, Herbert-Lewin-Str. 2, 50931 Cologne, Germany. E-mail: jana.bauer@uni-koeln.de.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:For employees with chronic health conditions the decision of whether or not to disclose their condition to colleagues or supervisors is both far reaching and hard to make. OBJECTIVE:Collaborating with a panel of experts on their own behalf, we developed a web-based self-test to provide easily accessible decision support for those who are not (yet) ready for personal counseling. METHODS:This report provides an overview of the web-based self-test supporting an informed disclosure decision in the workplace. RESULTS:The self-test consists of a series of questions about the user’s personal situation. In order to reach a broad target-group it is applicable across health conditions and is made available online. CONCLUSION:Unlike other existing web-based offers the self-test is interactive, considers the personal situation of the user and provides individualized feedback that refers to additional resources (e.g., personal counselling).

Keywords: Decision aid, invisible disabilities, e-health, workplace accommodations, stigma

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221183

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 203-207, 2022