title: Use of disablement resettlement officers by patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to define the use of disablement resettlement officers (DRO) by patients with locomotor disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  questionnaire for patients with locomotor disorders potentially handicapping them from obtaining work.
  
  
  METHODS
  outpatient clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  52 patients, capable of work, aged 55 years or less, with a locomotor disorder; 19 had chronic arthritis and 18 back disorders. QUESTIONNAIRE: obtained details of diagnosis, work status, contact with DRO and results of referral.
  
  
  RESULTS
  21 had seen the DRO and three of these were dissatisfied; 15 were referred to the DRO and only three were placed in employment; 16 did not want referral to the DRO; overall 60% were unemployed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many patients are reluctant to see the DRO. Only a minority either attend or find work on referral. A modified system is needed to improve the employment prospects of patients with locomotor disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Storey
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce