WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Laran Chetty*

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of this project was to explore the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in an occupational health setting by determining whether it was able to adequately capture the levels of functioning and disability of employees with musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: The Cohort database was utilised to identify and select employees with musculoskeletal disorders that attended the occupational health service within the data collection period. Employees were mailed the ICF-checklist and asked to complete and return it in a pre-paid envelope. Results: The most common impairments of body functions and body structures were consistent with the literature. Manual handling was reported as the most common activity limitation and participation restriction. The facilitator employees felt supported them at work was the provision of health professionals and employment services and policies. The main barrier employees reported at work was dealing with people in position of authority. Conclusion: The ICF was found to be a useful tool for providing a framework within which to explore functioning and disability of employees with musculoskeletal disorders. However, the findings should be validated in a larger sample.