Experiences with a brief functional evaluation for employees with musculoskeletal disorders as
perceived by the employees and their supervisors
Sammanfattning
The aim of this study was to explore employees ’and supervisors ’experiences with a brief
functional evaluation for employees
with musculoskeletal disorders on short-term sick leave or working despite complaints. Health-care
workers in Bergen
municipality, Norway, underwent a functional evaluation in 2012 - 2013. Four weeks later, they
returned a short questionnaire
about its usefulness. Focus group interviews were also conducted: three with employees (11
participants) and fi ve
with their supervisors (26 participants). We analysed questionnaire data using descriptive statistics,
and the interviews using
systematic text condensation. In total, 144 employees (92% women) completed the questionnaire,
and about 70% of the
employees found the evaluation useful. Three main themes about its usefulness emerged from the
qualitative data: clarifi -
cation and raising awareness; the functional evaluation report as a tool for communication; and
increased knowledge -
altered behaviour. In conclusion, both employees and supervisors found the brief functional
evaluation tool useful in
clarifying the employees ’functional level and in obtaining advice to improve employees ’health and
work functioning. The
report helped the employees to communicate their problems to supervisors and doctors, and was
helpful to the supervisors
when planning support and modifi ed work tasks.