Experts' perspective on a definition for delayed return-to-work after surgery for nontraumatic upper extremity disorders: Recommendations and implications.
METHODS
Descriptive study.


BACKGROUND
A delayed return to work (RTW) is often associated with poorer outcomes after a workplace injury but is ill defined.


OBJECTIVE
To define delayed RTW after surgery for nontraumatic upper extremity conditions.


METHODS
Experts were consulted to define delayed RTW and whether a universal time point can determine the transition from early to delayed RTW.


RESULTS
Forty-two experts defined a delayed RTW as either a worker not returning to preinjury (or similar) work within the expected time frame (45%); not returning to any type of work (36%); or recovering slower than expected (12%). Two-thirds of experts believed that universal time points to delineate delayed RTW should be avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple factors complicate a uniform definition of delayed RTW.


CONCLUSIONS
Defining delayed RTW should be individualized with due consideration to the type of work. Time-based cutoffs for outcome measurement may not be appropriate with continuous measures more appropriate in research.


METHODS
Decision analysis V.
Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Brisbane Hand and Upper Limb Research Institute, Brisbane Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: research@susanepeters.com.
Susan E
SE
Peters
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Department of Movement Sciences, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Michel W
MW
Coppieters
Brisbane Hand and Upper Limb Research Institute, Brisbane Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Orthopaedic Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Australia.
Mark
M
Ross
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
Venerina
V
Johnston
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D062707:Return to Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity; D055815:Young Adult
Carpal tunnel syndrome; Lateral epicondylalgia; Outcome measurement; Return to work; Rotator cuff tendinopathy; Work disability