Affiliations: The Swedish Institute for Disability Research,
Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Per Germundsson, The Swedish
Institute for Disability Research, Örebro University, SE-701 82
Örebro, Sweden. Tel.: +46 19 303300; Fax: +46 19 303601; E-mail:
per.germundsson@oru.se
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study is to describe and analyse two
important dimensions of vocational rehabilitation for disadvantaged groups and
persons with disabilities: interagency collaboration and social
representations. Participants: Four focus group discussions were conducted. The
participants were 20 officials of various agencies who had taken part in
collaboration projects in vocational rehabilitation. Methods: Qualitative content analysis was used for the analysis. The
material was categorised and central themes identified. Results: Three themes emerged: 'Collaboration Process', 'Other
Agencies' and 'Object for Collaboration'. The results indicate that interagency
collaboration is very important in vocational rehabilitation, but that there
are a number of obstacles to smooth collaboration. The professionals of the
different agencies shared social representations to a great extent. Working
with people with psychiatric disorders is especially challenging, and conflicts
tended to arise between the projects and the home organisations. Conclusions: Recognition of others' knowledge and respectfulness
toward other professions facilitated vocational rehabilitation and the
interagency collaboration process. The agencies' lack of flexibility increased
the risk of conflicts as attempts were made to integrate the new working
methods developed within the projects into the ordinary activities of the
agencies.
Keywords: Social representations, interprofessional, unemployed, cooperation, disability
