Author: De Buck P D M, Breedvald J, van der Giesen F J and Vliet Vlieland T P M

Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2004

Volume/pages: Vol 63, pp562-568

About the study

This Dutch study explored patients and health professionals' satisfaction with a vocational rehabilitation programme provided by a multidisciplinary team.   The programme was aimed at patients who had a chronic rheumatic disease with arthritis in one or more joints or reactive arthritis, who had experienced challenges in maintaining their jobs.     The team included a rheumatologist, a social worker, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a psychologist.

Findings

Patients were asked to complete a single questionnaire, and 59 of 65 returned it (91%). Patients rated highly the interpersonal approach and the professional knowledge of the team, and 98% said they would recommend the programme. There was some dissatisfaction with the length of time they had to wait for their final report.

Key Messages for practice

• A multidisciplinary approach to vocational rehabilitation can work well for highly motivated patients.