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Work Disability Models: Past and Present

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Handbook of Work Disability

Abstract

The activity of model building is central to any scientific practice. As scientific models mediate between theory and the real world, there is a constant need to revise the patterns of evidence and the methodologies employed by scientists to arrive at theoretical representations that guide a particular scientific practice. This chapter presents an overview of our knowledge evolution in conceptualizing work disability from various viewpoints. A historical perspective is presented with descriptions of conceptual models from the past that have influenced our understanding of work disability of today. Also contemporary models that explain the person–environment interaction are described and discussed in relation to their implications for return to work and prevention of work disability. In line with recent patterns of evidence for prevention of work disability, a few premises for the development of a new model are presented. These premises represent important contemporary issues supported by research and practice confirmed by various stakeholder groups including scientists, practitioners, employers, insurers, and workers themselves.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Defined as the combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs (Oxford dictionary).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, HW Snyman North, 31 Bophelo Road, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0001, Republic of South Africa

    Katia M. Costa-Black

  2. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA

    Michael Feuerstein

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Michael Feuerstein

  4. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada

    Patrick Loisel

  5. Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Patrick Loisel

Authors
  1. Katia M. Costa-Black
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  2. Michael Feuerstein
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  3. Patrick Loisel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katia M. Costa-Black .

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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Costa-Black, K.M., Feuerstein, M., Loisel, P. (2013). Work Disability Models: Past and Present. In: Loisel, P., Anema, J. (eds) Handbook of Work Disability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6214-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6214-9_6

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