title: Factors of importance for maintaining work as perceived by men with arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Employment rates are significantly lower among individuals with arthritis compared to a general population. There is, however, limited research about how men with arthritis perceive their ability to maintain working. The aim of this study was thus to explore their perception of this.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine employed men with arthritis were purposively sampled.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were performed and were informed by the central concepts of the Model of Human Occupation. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was modified and used to analyze and interpret collected data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings showed that men with arthritis perceived a desire to work, adjusted their activity pattern, were aware of their own capabilities, had good work conditions, had environmental support and used effective medication to maintain their ability to work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that health care professionals can help men with arthritis to find strategies and a balance between recreation and work. Ultimately, this knowledge could guide health care professionals to target men needing interventions to prevent sick leave.
authors.affiliation: Center for Dementia Research, Division of Health and Society, Department of Medical and Health Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. johannes.h.osterholm@liu.se
authors.forename: Johannes Hjalmarsson
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Österholm
authors.forename: Mathilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björk
authors.forename: Carita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Håkansson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace