Contact Information

Joy MacDermid

Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext: 22524
Fax: (905) 524-0069
Office: Rm.429, IAHS
Email: mailto:macderj@mcmaster.ca

Theme Researchers (more information about the theme researchers can be found by clicking on their names below)

Sue Baptiste
Joy MacDermid
Muriel Westmorland
Renee Williams

Return to Work

This research theme addresses the challenges and limitations that injured workers experience at and after returning to work. A common focus across studies is measuring and understanding the biologic, personal, work, and environmental factors that contribute to work outcomes. In particular, we are developing prognostic profiles that will help direct optimal treatment. Other topics under investigation include strategies for prevention, and management of work-related disability, conceptual models of how return to work is accomplished, as well as studies that identify predictors of work outcomes. Study designs include cohort studies.

Current Projects

1.0 Knowledge exchange with injured workers
1.1 Management of complex, work-related disorders
1.2 Gender issues in work disability
1.3 Defining the health services impacts of specialty clinics
1.4 Validation of work disability measures
1.5 Screening and prevention for firefighters
1.6 Prognostic profiles to predict optimal management and outcomes

Research Products and Summaries

Example publications:

MacDermid JC, Geldart S, Williams R, Lin CY, Westmoreland M, Shannon H: Workers define the health effects of Work Organization, identify needed changes and are motivated to share responsibility: A qualitative study. Work, 2007 (in press).

MacDermid JC, Roth JH, McMurtry R: Predictors of time lost from work following a distal radius fracture. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 17(1):47-62, 2007.

Tools/Products

Readiness for Return to Work Scale
Return to Work Self-Efficacy Scale – Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorder

Collaborators

Centres

Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph 's Health Centre London
Institute for Work and Health, Toronto
WSIB Upper Limb Specialty Clinic

Investigators

Sue Baptiste
Muriel Westmorland
Renee Williams
Linda Woodhouse

Graduate Students

Lubna Daraz

Graduate Student Opportunities

We are currently accepting both Master and PhD students for supervision