Mid Sweden University

Objective: To investigate and gather knowledge of how important the various functions of Swedish rehabilitation workers are and whether this knowledge is equivalent to the demands of the vocational rehabilitation process. Participants: Swedish rehabilitation workers from both public and private sectors.

Methods: A questionnaire comprising 89 work task items was used to identify the major dimensions of the Swedish rehabilitation workers job in the rehabilitation process. A principle component factor analysis was performed on the 89 job-task items from the Swedish Task Inventory.

Results: The number of factors/dimensions that could be formed was only three, which is judged to be limited both in scope and depth. The level of perceived knowledge reported varied from limited to having the required competence. The results also reveal that the workers perceive their work tasks and the dimensions that make up their role function as being of moderate to low importance. Their perceived level of knowledge for the similar work task items and dimensions were rated moderate to low. Differences between the groups of rehabilitation workers were mixed.

Conclusions: The vocational rehabilitation process offered in Sweden is limited. It appears that the level of knowledge within the area can and should be increased and that better education is needed in order to improve the quality of the vocational rehabilitation process and for further development to take place.

The aim of the study is to describe and analyse personal reflections on vocational rehabilitation in Singapore and Sweden as described by employees who have been on sick leave. Further, the study investigates what similarities and differences can be discerned from the accounts provided by the participants in the different countries. Interviews were conducted with five Singaporeans and five Swedes undergoing rehabilitation due to musculoskeletal problems. The most significant result is that more differences than similarities were identified; e.g. the Singaporeans had fewer days of sickness absence, they were diagnosed more swiftly, treatment and the rehabilitation process began earlier and there were no queues for treatment. The conclusion is that the Singaporean system seems to be more effective with respect to returning people to work. However, the Swedish system creates more security for all groups of people.

This pilot study was intended to examine and to document whether the use of the garden environment and the activities that make up horticulture could be considered a possible method to be used in the vocational rehabilitation of persons sick-listed due to high levels of stress. The study is based on a theoretical (four-step) model using horticulture and the garden environment to provide the foundation of vocational rehabilitation for individuals with prolonged fatigue, chronic fatigue and burnout. The general interpretation is that the results are positive and promising but that further research is needed and should be pursued to examine what causal relationship(s) exist between the garden environment and the reduction of arousal levels; the effectiveness of pursuing this VR process for persons sick listed for stress-related complaints.

Research findings show that persons suffering from fatigue, chronic fatigue, and burnout have great difficulty reintegrating into working life after medical treatment. This suggests that improvement is required in both the medical and the vocational rehabilitation processes if this situation is to be turned around. The introduction and assessment of new, non-traditional vocational programs and interventions is therefore suggested. This paper proposes horticultural therapy for this particular group (and possibly others as well) and considers the garden environment better then other environments for the development and pursuit of a vocational rehabilitation program.

A Four-Step Theoretical Model is presented, aimed at using horticultural therapy, that is, a cognitive restructuring process using gardening as the basis of activities with the aim of improving human well being, as the cornerstone for the vocational rehabilitation program. The model divides the rehabilitation process into the following four overlapping phases: 1) restoration; 2) evaluation and planning; 3) treatment – return to working capacity; and 4) job placement.

Fundamental to the model is the assumed immediate reduction of arousal levels of persons in a garden environment. This allows the early introduction of the rehabilitation program with ongoing evaluation of developing levels of physical and psychological functioning—utilizing the versatile work tasks performed in gardening activities—and leading to fulfilment of the rehabilitation process; a process that is argued to be more effective when pursed in a garden environment as compared with other, more traditional environments.

As work tempo increases, work performance gradually becomes more focused on quantity, quality, and efficiency. Work tasks also become less structured, giving opportunity for rehabilitees to take more initiatives and personal responsibility. In the final return-to-work phase, rehabilitees are gradually reintegrated into regular jobs parallel with being phased out of the vocational rehabilitation program. It is assumed that through the learning process involved in the vocational rehabilitation program, rehabilitees will be better able to cope with future daily strain.

Purpose. This study has had two main aims, the first to investigate and gather knowledge of the major job functions of Swedish rehabilitation workers, the second to study the frequency of use of these functions in the VR process.

Method. Structured questionnaires were sent to Swedish rehabilitation workers from public and private sectors. To identify the major dimensions of Swedish rehabilitation workers' job in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) process, a principal component factor analysis was performed.

Results. Results revealed that there are four main factors (dimensions) that comprised the VR process in Sweden. The four factors (dimensions) are job development and career counselling; assessment and counselling interventions; workplace adjustment and employer consultation and client support, personnel development and public relations.

Conclusions. The VR process in Sweden is limited in both its scope and depth. This when one compares with the results of studies carried out in the USA, who found seven and six dimensions, respectively. It is argued that it cannot be excluded that the negative trend of extensive sick leave and early pensions are attributable to the limitations in the VR process that have been found. Suggested is the urgent need to put resources in place that would support the further advancement of the knowledge and competencies of the VR services in Sweden.

The aim of the study is to describe and compare the health care, social security and rehabilitation systems in Singapore and Sweden. Two fundamental differences can be identified. First, the system in Singapore are strongly oriented towards a free market system, while Sweden’s demonstrates strong public control. Second, following from how the systems are oriented, Singaporeans are expected to have a higher degree of independence and control over their health care, social security and rehabilitation. It appears that Singapore has had greater success in attaining and maintaining a system of health promotion, which influences the three systems. However, the Swedish welfare system provides greater security to those who are in need of health care, social security and rehabilitation.