title: Well, I'm healthy, but…--lay perspectives on health among people with musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to investigate lay perspectives on health among people with musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were performed with 39 women and 30 men, (aged 22-63 years) with long-term, non-specific musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulder and/or low back. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These people experienced health as "having resources and opportunities to lead the life one wants". Three categories, "a good enough physical and psychological functioning, freedom of action, and a positive state of emotion and an enriching life", illustrate the different resources and opportunities that the informants described as important for them to perceive themselves as healthy. The informants also reflected on "being ill" and "being well" and what makes the difference. Five aspects influenced the dynamics of their health experiences: "body and soul, prognosis, character of symptoms, physical and social activity, and emotional state". Consequently, the informants expressed a holistic view of health, where the focus lies on the opportunity and the ability to lead their lives the way they want.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study points at the value of taking lay perspectives on health into account, as it might increase the opportunity to design effective, personalized rehabilitation strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are difficult to cure and actions to alleviate suffering are of most importance to increase wellbeing and thereby work ability. Research on lay perspectives can contribute towards a deepened understanding of the health experiences of the affected, and thereby the development of the goals and activities of rehabilitation. Our models, that present the view of health and aspects important for achieving wellness among people with MSDs, can contribute in the development of multimodal rehabilitation. The results can also be useful as a base in the evaluation of clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences , University of Gävle , Gävle , Sweden .
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiitavaara
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology and.
authors.forename: Carita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bengs
authors.affiliation: c Department of Nursing , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brulin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health experiences; lay perspective; musculoskeletal disorders; pain