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Understanding Work Disability Systems and Intervening Upstream

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Handbook of Work Disability

Abstract

This chapter identifies ways that research on the mechanisms of work disability prevention systems can support the conceptualization of complex causal pathways between work and disability. Such research involves studies of key policies, such as early return to work, and their logic and substance, how implementation occurs, and how actual practice matches up to policy logic and ideals. Examples are provided of system mechanisms research and how these challenge the boundaries of work disability conceptualization. Although system-level interventions are not simple, and can be beyond the scope of researchers, they have the potential to make a positive impact on large numbers of workers. The design and implementation of work reintegration policy and programs, which are increasingly prominent internationally, can be furthered by research evidence that considers the interaction of individual, organizational and system level components.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 2E9

    Ellen MacEachen Ph.D.

  2. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 3M7

    Ellen MacEachen Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Ellen MacEachen Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Ellen MacEachen Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, College Street 155, Toronto, M5T 3M7, Ontario, Canada

    Patrick Loisel

  2. EMGO Institute for Health and Care Resea, Department of Public and Occupational He, VU University Medical Center, AMC-UMCG-UWV-VUmc, Amsterdam, NL-1081 BT, Netherlands

    Johannes R. Anema

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MacEachen, E. (2013). Understanding Work Disability Systems and Intervening Upstream. In: Loisel, P., Anema, J. (eds) Handbook of Work Disability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6214-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6214-9_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6213-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6214-9

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