title: A qualitative evaluation of occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis: Perspectives of therapists and their line managers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational therapy-led work rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis and work problems was piloted in five hospitals in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study explored the views of participating occupational therapists and their line managers about the work rehabilitation training received and conducting the intervention, with particular focus on the structured interview used, the Work Experience Survey - Rheumatic Conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapists (n= 9), followed by telephone interviews with their line managers (n= 2). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed by three researchers to maximize validity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main themes emerging from the occupational therapists' interviews were: varying levels of prior knowledge and experience of work rehabilitation, initial concerns about the feasibility of a lengthy work assessment in practice and increased confidence in delivering work rehabilitation as the study progressed. The line managers' interviews generated themes around the positive impact of the work rehabilitation training the occupational therapists received, and changes in their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Work Experience Survey - Rheumatic Conditions was considered a good choice of work assessment which can be implemented in practice. Once therapists had provided the work intervention several times, their confidence and skills increased.
authors: Research Fellow, Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors: Yeliz
authors: Y
authors: Prior
authors: Research Assistant, Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors: Evangeline A
authors: EA
authors: Amanna
authors: Senior Lecturer, Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: Bodell
authors: Professor of Rheumatology Rehabilitation, Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Hammond
keywords: Work rehabilitation; rheumatology; vocational rehabilitation; work assessments