title: Management of work disability. Resources for vocational rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (SF-VR) system and its utilization by persons with rheumatic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  SF-VR system instruction manuals, and literature on rheumatology rehabilitation, work disability, and rehabilitation counseling were reviewed. National and Massachusetts state SF-VR system data on persons with "arthritis and rheumatism" were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SF-VR system is used by a small proportion of persons with rheumatic diseases. Fifty-two percent of clients with arthritis are employed after receiving services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although evidence indicates that VR services for persons with rheumatic conditions improves their chances for reemployment, the SF-VR system is underutilized.
authors.affiliation: Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Allaire
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Partridge
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014830:Vocational Guidance