Administration and application of the Worker Role Interview: looking beyond functional capacity

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gail S. Fisher,

Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

Note: [] Department of Occupational Therapy, 1919 W. Taylor St., M/C 811, Chicago, IL 60612 USA. Tel.: +1 312 996-4371; Fax: +1 312 413-0256; E-mail: gfisher@uic.edu

Abstract: Assessing factors beyond the functional capacity of the injured worker is challenging, yet essential for deriving a more complete understanding of the worker. Insight into a worker's perceptions of abilities and limitations, commitment to the worker role, perception of the impact of the injury on non-work roles, ability to adjust habits and routines, and perception of the work environment allows the therapist to identify and address barriers to return-to-work. The Worker Role Interview (WRI), based on the Model of Human Occupation, is designed to assist the therapist in obtaining this information. The therapist's ratings on a four-point scale provide a picture of the factors which support and interfere with successful return-to-work. This paper describes the WRI and discusses its clinical application. A case example illustrates how the information gained from the WRI can be used for treatment planning.

Journal: Work, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 13-24, 1999