Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, Lund University,
Lasarettsgatan 7, 221 85 Lund, Sweden | Department of Health Science, Luleå University,
Hedenbrovägen, 961 36 Boden, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Gunvor Gard, Department of Physical
Therapy, Lund University, Lasarettsgatan 7, 221 85 Lund, Sweden. E-mail:
Gunvor.Gard@sjukgym.lu.se
Abstract: Research shows that there are often problems with cooperation
between rehabilitation professionals within vocational rehabilitation. The aim
of this study was to describe employers' experiences of how cooperation between
different rehabilitation professionals can be improved in a vocational
rehabilitation planning process. Ten employers who had sent their employees to
vocational rehabilitation at a rehabilitation centre in the north of Sweden
during 2000 and 2001 participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were
performed and analysed by thematic content analysis. The employers' cooperation
with clients could be improved by a focus on clients' needs and participation
in the rehabilitation process. The employers cooperation with Social Insurance
companies could be improved by, 1) early prevention and intervention, 2)
knowledge of each other's roles, responsibilities and opportunities and 3)
priority making. The employers' cooperation with rehabilitation professionals
could be improved by, 1) early identification of rehabilitation needs and goals
and early rehabilitation and, 2) increased focus on own responsibilities from
each part in the process.
Keywords: Employer, cooperation, client, social insurance officers, rehabilitation professionals, rehabilitation
