Affiliations: Social Security Office, Assen, The Netherlands | University Medical Center Groningen, University of
Groningen, Department of Health Sciences, SHARE Graduate School for Health
Research, The Netherlands
Note: [] Address for correspondence: J. Spanjer, MD, Ter Borch 34, 9472
RB Zuidlaren, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 592326659; Fax: +31 592326780; E-mail: jerry.spanjer@uwv.nl
Abstract: The assessment of work disability due to health problems is a
difficult task because there is no straightforward relationship between disease
and disability. As a result, there is wide inter-rater variability between
physicians in assessing work disability. The aim of this paper is to discuss
the sources of the inter-rater variability and to describe possibilities for
its reduction. A model is presented in which the process of disability
assessment, the instruments used and the role of the assessor is addressed. On
the basis of this model, the causes of inter-rater variability and suggestions
for improvement are discussed.
Keywords: Work capacity evaluation, observer variation, theoretical model, outcome assessment
