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- Title
Managing Co-Workers, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and the BPS Model.
- Authors
Rostkowski, Stella Marie; Singh, Raj K.
- Abstract
Research for this study was aimed at analyzing the exposition associated with why an employee who ha Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) does or does not complete an employer-sponsored Return to Work (RTW) program. By using a constructivist grounded theory approach to conduct this study, which consisted of semi-structured interviews, open-ended interviews, and observations, 12 employees in three separate companies were able to use their own words to show the magnitude and influence that the physical, psychological, psychosomatic, and sociological aspects of this disease have on each other which included interfering with an employee's every day workplace activities. The findings in this study were aligned with case studies and phenomenological studies that examined and determined the effects CTS has in the workplace. By using the sociological biopsychosocial (BPS) model, this study was able to contribute to the current body of knowledge surrounding the effects of CTS in the workplace because it filled in the missing gaps found in previous case studies and phenomenological studies that measured one or two aspects of this disease. The BPS model proved relevant in this study because it provided the necessary framework to show how the employees with CTS' physical, psychological, psychosomatic, and sociological experiences and struggles were intertwined and were as unique and individualized as the participants in this study along with their social and psychological coping mechanisms. Three limitations of this research include (a) a small sample size; and (b) the research limited to employees with carpal tunnel syndrome accounts and recollections. Research emphasizes the importance of creating Return to Work programs that address the physical, psychological, psychosomatic, and sociological effects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Recommended future research should be supplemental grounded theory studies which examine how the effects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are experienced financially by an employer and co-workers who work with employees who Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The purpose of this research would be to confirm or discount arguments made in other studies, that stated Return to Work programs have reduced an employers' workers' compensation claim insurance cost. The significant contribution of this research showed how some employees with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are treated in the workplace and how heir treatment directly affected them physically, psychologically, and sociologically, and psychosomatically.
- Subjects
CARPAL tunnel syndrome; COWORKER relationships; BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL model
- Publication
Leadership & Organizational Management Journal, 2015, Vol 2015, Issue 3, p116
- ISSN
2152-8675
- Publication type
Article