A simple self-rating assessment method of residual work capability for occupational permanent disabilities

Background: To explore the validity, reliability, and determinants of a simple self-rating assessment method of residual work capability (RWC) after occupational permanent disabilities. Methods: Five hundred and thirty-nine compensated permanent disability workers answered three consecutive visual analogue questionnaires wherein they self-rated their residual work capability in terms of speed (RWCS), quality (RWCQ) and a combination of speed and quality (RWCC). At two major hospitals in Taiwan, 169 of these subjects were evaluated with physical capacity assessment (PCA), cognition and sensation assessment (CSA), the work ability index (WAI), and the 12-item Chinese health questionnaire (CHQ-12). Results: High test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.77) and satisfactory concurrent validity were shown for RWCS and RWCC. All PCA, CSA and WAI showed significant correlation with RWCs, while CHQ-12 displayed borderline correlation. Employment status after injury and status of the victim's salary as the main source of income for his/her family before injury, were the major determinants of RWCs, in addition to the scales of PCA, CSA and WAI. Conclusions: The RWCC resulting from the self-rating method may be used as a simple assessment of a victim's residual work capability after occupational permanent disabilities. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.