title: Workers with health problems: three perspectives on functioning at work.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aims were (i) to explore why it is that one worker with a health problem is able to stay at work while the other is not, (ii) to identify signals for decreased functioning at work, and (iii) to explore if and how this can be measured.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted three focus groups: with workers with a health problem, occupational physicians, and human resources managers/supervisors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individual differences in coping strategies, motivation, believes, attitudes, and values were mentioned. All three groups reported that the supervisor is the key figure in the functioning at work of workers with health problems. The supervisor can facilitate the work accommodation of workers and help optimizing functioning at work. The identified signals might contribute to the development of an instrument. Conditions for use were suggested, i.e. a "safe" setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This focus group study provided insight in why it is that one worker is able to stay at work while the other is not, according to the opinions of three different groups. Although all three groups reported that the supervisor is the key figure in the functioning at work of workers with health problems, there are differences between how the three stakeholders perceive the situation.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. f.i.abma@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Femke I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Abma
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bültmann
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varekamp
authors.forename: Jac J L
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van der Klink
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016272:Occupational Health; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010559:Personnel Management; D062707:Return to Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult