Work functioning: A conceptual framework

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sandqvist, Jan L. | Henriksson, Chris M.

Affiliations: Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Section of Occupational Therapy, Villa Medica, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 13 22 78 98; Fax: +46 13 22 75 19; E-mail: Jan.Sandqvist@inr.liu.se

Note: [] Corresponding author

Abstract: Adequate and reliable methods for evaluation of clients with work disabilities are crucial for both the individuals who are assessed and for society as a whole. Sound and precise work assessments are needed to guide clients to suitable interventions using a minimum of rehabilitation resources [31,46,51,68]. Occupational therapy literature contains evidence that work function assessments are complex and that there is confusion over work assessment concepts [30,31]. Therefore, further development and evaluation of adequate concepts and theoretical models within the area of work assessment is needed [68,74]. This article proposes a conceptual framework for different dimensions of work functioning and points out important factors for work assessment. The concepts proposed and defined in the article are: work functioning, work participation, work performance, and individual capacity.

Keywords: occupational therapy, ability, performance, capacity, assessment

Journal: Work, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 147-157, 2004