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Work measures

Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI)

Link

Type

  • Evaluative

Description

  • Measures work hours, absenteeism and presenteeism over the previous week.
  • A key measure in ePPOC.

Advantages

  • Measures aspects of work in a more nuanced way than just recording hours at work. Even if work hours don't/can't change, the WPAI can measure changes in absenteeism and presenteeism.
  • Simple to use (6 items). Scoring is moderately easy but requires a calculator. If the person is not working, it is easy to score.
  • Can be adapted to a specific condition.
  • Many translated versions available.

Precautions or limitations

  • None of note.

Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy Scale (RTW-SE) Common Mental Disorder (CMD) version

Link

Type

  • Predictive (primary use)
  • Evaluative (secondary use)

Description

  • This version of the RTW-SE questionnaire has been validated for use with people with common mental health disorders. There are 11 items and 6 response categories.

Advantages

  • Easy to complete and to score
  • Strong predictive value for both earlier and sustained RTW
    • Score >4.5 is predictive of significantly higher odds of full RTW at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up, compared with a score <3.7
    • Score between 3.7 and 4.5 is predictive of significantly higher odds of full RTW at 3, 6 (but not 12) months follow up, compared with a score <3.7
  • Helps clinicians identify workers at risk of prolonged absence
  • Helps identify targets for treatment as self efficacy is modifiable
  • Strong reliability and validity across multiple populations

Disadvantages

  • should only be utilised by appropriately qualified professionals
  • only assesses one aspect of RTW
  • MDC and MCID scores have not been determined, which limits the interpretability of a change in score when used for evaluative purposes eg effectiveness of an intervention

Precautions or limitations

  • RTW is a complex experience for a person with a mental and/or physical health condition. A single score cannot capture all facets of RTW.