Return to work among workers recovering from severe COVID-19 in Slovenia: a focus group study.

PURPOSE: For working age adults, return to work (RTW) after severe COVID-19 can be an essential component of rehabilitation. We explored the expectations and experiences related to RTW in a group of workers recovering from severe COVID-19 in Slovenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted between May 2021 and August 2021. Fifteen men and three women, aged between 39 and 65 years, participated. We analysed data using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were developed in the analysis, pertaining to (1) work identity, (2) challenges to work re-entry, (3) personal strengths and support systems, and (4) possible adaptations at work. The disruption of work triggered sentiments about its role in identity. Workers' personal agency and self-advocacy helped participants cope with various barriers that were beyond their control, such as physical limitations and lack of systematic routines to address RTW. Workers recovering from severe COVID-19 were at risk of developing negative expectations regarding their work re-entry. CONCLUSIONS: RTW after severe COVID-19 involves different personal, organizational and systemic dimensions that need to be considered and carefully aligned. Due to the individuality of the process, the worker should be involved as a key partner in the RTW process.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONLack of clinical pathways can negatively impact return to work (RTW) after severe COVID-19.RTW processes should start early but timely and include individual follow up.Patients expect the interdisciplinary team of experts to work together and involve them in all phases of decision-making regarding their rehabilitation and RTW process.Positive expectations regarding work re-entry are essential for the RTW process.

The motives of people who delay retirement: An occupational perspective.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of people are delaying retirement. Studies of their motives are scarce and biased to Western contexts. AIMS: The aim was to explore internal and external motives of older Slovenians who continue to work after becoming eligible for retirement. METHODS: Nine workers, aged 59-72, were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Three main themes were extracted. The 'Foundations' described the prerequisites for continued work engagement that were often non-negotiable. The 'Rewards' included the benefits of working and suggested a strong pull towards the non-material aspects of work. 'Negotiating occupational challenges' summarized an internal crisis that was experienced when faced with a potential occupational void of retirement. CONCLUSIONS: Although the participants' motivations were not homogenous, we identified a pattern in the way they constructed their motives in relation to the occupational life trajectories and contextual factors. Based on our findings and multidisciplinary theories, we proposed a hierarchy of motives for prolonged work activity. SIGNIFICANCE: The study offers an occupational perspective of the phenomenon of delayed retirement and argues that the efforts of the discipline of occupational therapy should be directed at different levels of motives, including empowering people to nurture higher level occupational motives.

Experiences and motives of retirement-aged workers during the first wave of COVID-19 in Slovenia: "This was the first time in 40 years that I really saw spring".

Choosing to continue working after retirement eligibility can attract both negative and positive sentiments from the general public. Studies examining the motivations of older workers have so far been conducted in times of relative social and economic stability. However, little is known about what it means for older workers to work during a lockdown or pandemic situation. The present longitudinal study aimed to explore experiences of retirement-aged workers in Slovenia in relation to their motives for prolonged work activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, using the theory of gerotranscendence as a theoretical framework. Nine workers were interviewed before and after the start of the pandemic. The qualitative analysis was based on 18 interviews and observations, juxtaposing two analytical methods in order to illustrate common themes across the data as well as tensions in specific situations within a narrative context. Four main themes are presented: Unchanged plans, Motive developments, Psychological preparation for retirement and Views of society. In addition, a narrative analysis is presented with a focus on self-transcending elements in some of the participants' narratives. The findings suggest that during a pandemic, older workers' individual experiences might be constructed more positively compared to other groups, especially if they develop agentic identity and pursue meaningful activities. We discuss an innovative approach to gerotranscendence, complementing this theory with concepts from occupational science to develop a clearer distinction from the now dated disengagement theory and examine the life trajectories of older workers in novel situations such as a pandemic.

Goal Setting Among Experienced and Novice Occupational Therapists in a Rehabilitation Center.

BACKGROUND.: Collaborative goal setting is an important part of client-centered occupational therapy. However, not all therapists have comparable skills when it comes to setting goals. PURPOSE.: The aim of our study was to explore the experiences of novice and expert occupational therapists who use the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in the process of goal setting. METHOD.: This study followed a focused ethnography approach. Four beginners and four experienced occupational therapists were interviewed about their experiences with goal setting. We also observed them during a goal setting session. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS.: The four main themes that emerged from the analysis showed both similarities and differences between novice and experienced therapists, especially in the areas of communication, guidance, and flexibility, as well as dilemmas they were facing. IMPLICATIONS.: Our findings challenge the client-centeredness of the participants and the relevance of work experience when it comes to collaborative goal setting.