Work Recommendations: Upper Limb 

Aims 

1) To systematically review the literature to identify strategies for the provision of work-related advice in musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy and hand therapy, and to explore the contextual factors associated with reported outcomes.  

2) To survey UK hand therapists and MSK physiotherapists to understand current practice in relation to the provision of work-related advice, and to identify common training needs. 

What the research will involve:

Work package (WP1): A systematic review to explore the work-related advice strategies, focusing on what works for whom and under what circumstances. The review will include, but will not be limited to, the AHP Health and Work Report and the Fit Note.WP2: A survey of hand therapists and physiotherapists. 

What has the study found so far?

• Systematic review is now in progress (WP1) and due to be finalised in the coming months. 

• WP2 completed and findings recently published in Hand Therapy journal.

Study Team: Dr Lisa Newington, Prof Ira Madan and Dr Vaughan Parsons and others.  

Further information: l.newington@qmul.ac.uk 

Funder: CSP Charitable Trust 

Publications: 

• Newington L, Ceh D, Sandford F, Parsons V, Madan I. Supporting work participation for adults with hand and upper limb conditions: A survey of the British Association of hand therapists Hand Therapy (2024). https://doi.org/10.1177/17589983241238424