Managing work-related lateral elbow tendinopathy: Australian hand therapist's experiences with workplace-based interventions.
Aust Occup Ther J
; 70(2): 233-245, 2023 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36367158
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is one of the most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal conditions. Current treatments for LET focus mainly on the physiological symptoms of pain, grip strength, and function. Recently, a novel workplace-based hand therapy educational intervention, Working Hands-ED, was developed based on the Person-Environment-Occupation- Performance model, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework and the Australian Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services. Combining a hand therapist's specialised knowledge and skills in upper limb rehabilitation with an approach that considers injured workers' occupations and work environments may provide a more holistic approach to managing work-related LET. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the experiences of hand therapists who perform workplace-based educational interventions for the management of LET.METHOD:
An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was used with hand therapists who delivered the novel hand therapy intervention Working Hands-ED.FINDINGS:
Ten occupational therapists working in hand therapy were interviewed. Three main themes and eight subthemes were identified from interview data Person-centred approach, opportunity for therapists to provide enhanced service, and improved stakeholder engagement in the return-to-work process. Logistical challenges such as the costs and time spent away from the clinical setting were identified.CONCLUSION:
All hand therapists reported delivering Working Hands-ED when managing work-related LET was a positive experience for them. They believed that the novel intervention could provide a more holistic approach to care that added value to their service delivery; however, there were some logistical factors to consider including the additional time and costs associated with the intervention.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Occupational Therapy
/
Elbow Tendinopathy
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Aust Occup Ther J
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia