WORKing with osteoarthrITis (WORK-IT)

This research looks to better understand what factors are most important to people living with osteoarthritis (OA), in order to improve interventions, advice and support for people living and working with OA

This study aims to provide an insight into the perspectives of people living with osteoarthritis (OA) and a deeper understanding of their lived experiences and how OA affects their ability to work. The findings from this study will help contribute new information in terms providing patients’ perspectives on the factors they feel are most important in helping to improve work productivity in people living with OA. This will help to identify interventions to support the extended working lives of people with OA, improving advice on fitness to work and return to work for those who have undergone joint surgery, and help researchers extend their knowledge in this field for future intervention-based research.

Aims and questions

The main aim of this research is to better understand the lived experience of those with OA, including how the condition affects their ability to engage in work. In particular, it seeks to address the following questions:

1. What impact does osteoarthritis (OA) have on work participation (i.e. absenteeism (sick leave), presenteeism (work productivity), work difficulties and work problems, and early retirement)?

2. What are the biopsychosocial, environmental, and organisational factors affecting work participation in employed people with OA?

3. What work adaptations have employed people with OA made?

What does this research involve?

  1. Systematic review

We have conducted a systematic review to assess the existing research literature in order to identify:

  • the impact of OA on work participation

  • biopsychosocial and work-related factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, work transitions, work impairment, work accommodations, and premature work loss

You can review the study protocol on Prospero here and access the full systematic review findings here.

2. Qualitative interviews

We also conducted a series of individual qualitative interviews with people who have lived experience of working with OA to explore the perceptions of how living with osteoarthritis affects employed people’s work productivity.

What has the study found so far?

You can read the full results paper from our systematic review findings here.

The findings from the qualitative interviews suggests that the impact of OA on people's work productivity results in a spill over into their home lives. Work transitions and adaptations are not always available. Employers need to be educated to support employees to create a positive work environment and promote available workplace support.

You can read the full paper here.

Publications

Study team

Chief investigator
Professor Yeliz Prior (University of Salford)

Centre institutions

Further information

For further information about this research, please contact y.prior@salford.ac.uk