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Vocational Rehabilitation

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Book cover Handbook of Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Evaluation

Part of the book series: Handbooks in Health, Work, and Disability ((SHHDW))

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to provide a picture of the importance of vocational rehabilitation (VR) in supporting sick or injured people in keeping their job or in offering them another job. Many definitions have been proposed for VR. The definition proposed by the ICF seems the most comprehensive one. One of the key components of the ICF definition is the optimisation of work participation. VR is a complex activity since it is practised in varied organisational bodies and with the involvement of various countries, which can affect those who undergo VR, how the process is conducted, and what the outcomes are. VR can be seen as a process in its own right or as identical to the return to work (RTW) process. An important component in the RTW process is the assessment stage. The ICF core sets can play an important role as assessment tools. During the assessment phase, it is important to mobilise the person’s strengths and abilities rather than focusing on limitations and weaknesses. The strengths perspective in social work is well known in the case management field through Strengths Model case management. With regard to VR rehabilitation interventions, there is some support for the idea that workplace interventions have a certain effect on RTW. It is important to make use of individuals’ remaining working capacity, which is in line with the ICF biopsychosocial approach. It is important to rehabilitate people back to work instead of providing a disability pension. The visualisation of the ICF concept on the basis of benefits and limitations shows a number of significant benefits that can be used in the VR process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Caseman Rehabilitering AB, Östersund, Sweden

    Sven-Uno Marnetoft

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  1. Sven-Uno Marnetoft
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Correspondence to Sven-Uno Marnetoft .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA

    Reuben Escorpizo

  2. Research Unit, Directorate for Labour and Welfare, Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Sören Brage

  3. Department of Rehabilitation and Counsel, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA

    Debra Homa

  4. Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Luzern, Switzerland

    Gerold Stucki

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Marnetoft, SU. (2015). Vocational Rehabilitation. In: Escorpizo, R., Brage, S., Homa, D., Stucki, G. (eds) Handbook of Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Evaluation. Handbooks in Health, Work, and Disability. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08825-9_5

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