Reabilitação profissional e retorno ao trabalho: uma revisão integrativa / Vocational rehabilitation and return to work: integrative review

Analisando-se as tendências globais de crescimento populacional e o envelhecimento da população, que implica no aparecimento de doenças crônicas, além das doenças e acidentes em geral (relacionados ou não ao trabalho), observa-se crescente necessidade de implementação dos serviços de reabilitação no mundo. A reabilitação envolve três aspectos: reabilitação médica, profissional e social. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar e apresentar a produção de conhecimento dos processos de reabilitação profissional em diversos países, bem como identificar estratégias para a reintegração ao trabalho de pessoas com restrições decorrentes de doenças ou acidentes em geral, por meio da reabilitação profissional durante os últimos 30 anos. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa em portais de pesquisa em saúde ­ Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde ­ Biblioteca Virtual em Medicina (BVS-BIREME), PubMed ­, bases de dados ­ Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Web of Science, Sociological abstracts, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) ­ e banco de dados (SCOPUS). No total, 1.109 publicações foram identificadas. Após avaliação metodológica, 12 foram consideradas elegíveis e incluídas. Os estudos avaliaram novas abordagens e a implementação de programas existentes, novos projetos/programas e medidas educacionais para trabalhadores em licença médica. A maioria considerou a multidisciplinaridade, a abordagem educacional complementar, a intervenção precoce e a possibilidade de ajustes no ambiente de trabalho. As publicações sobre novos projetos foram relacionadas a programas de retenção no emprego e retorno ao trabalho para trabalhadores desempregados e temporários. Há um pequeno número de estudos descrevendo programas de reabilitação ocupacional e dificuldades em avaliar sua eficácia. A produção científica ainda é discreta quando comparada à necessidade relacionada a esse tema na atualidade.

Analysis of population growth trends and aging­which is associated with occurrence of chronic diseases, in addition to (work-related or not) diseases and accidents in general­points to an increasing need to implement rehabilitation services worldwide. Rehabilitation comprises three aspects: medical, vocational and social. The aim of the present study was to describe the state of the art in vocational rehabilitation approaches in several countries, as well as vocational rehabilitation-based return-to-work strategies for individuals with restrictions due to diseases and accidents in general developed in the past 30 years. We performed an integrative review of studies located in databases Virtual Health Library-Regional Library of Medicine (VHL-BIREME), PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and SCOPUS. A total of 1,109 studies were initially retrieved, of which 12 were considered eligible on methodological assessment and included for review. The selected studies analyzed new approaches and the implementation of existing programs, new programs/projects, and educational measures for workers on sick leave. Most programs had multidisciplinary nature and included complementary educational approaches, early intervention, and possibility of workplace adjustments. The studies on new projects consisted in job retention and return-to-work programs for unemployed or temporary workers. The number of studies which describe occupational rehabilitation programs is small and evaluating their efficacy is difficult. Scientific research on this subject is still scarce vis-à-vis the current demands.

Experiencias en reconversión laboral: trabajadores que asisten a un consultorio de seguridad social en colombia / Experiences in labor reconversion: workers attending a social security office in colombia / Experiências em reconversão laboral: trabalhadores que foram a um consultorio de segurança social em colômbia

Resumen Objetivo: describir experiencias del proceso de reconversión de mano de obra en pacientes con patología laboral que asistieron al Consultorio de Seguridad Social Integral de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia. Metodología: se usaron algunas técnicas de la Teoría Fundada para la recolección y análisis simultáneos. Se realizaron ocho entrevistas semiestructuradas a pacientes que aceptaron participar. La información se transcribió y se analizó con la codificación abierta y axial de la Teoría Fundada. Resultados: los pacientes describen en su experiencia múltiples fallas en sus procesos de rehabilitación y reintegro laboral, además de limitaciones para la inclusión laboral y social posterior a un evento de origen laboral. Conclusiones: la reconversión de mano de obra no está garantizada para los pacientes que participaron en este estudio. En Colombia la normatividad en materia de la reconversión es discordante con las experiencias de vida de los participantes de este estudio. Es importante evaluar el tema de reconversión de mano de obra desde otros puntos de vista como lo son las empresas y las ARL, con el fin de comprender de manera más amplia lo que está pasando en materia de reconversión de mano de obra con nuestros pacientes.

Abstract Objective: to describe the experiences of the process of reconversion of labor in patients with occupational pathology who attended the Comprehensive Social Security Office of the Faculty of Medicine at Universidad de Antioquia. Methodology: some techniques from the Grounded Theory for simultaneous data collection and analysis were used. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who agreed to participate. The information was transcribed and analyzed using the open and axial coding of the Grounded Theory. Results: patients described multiple failures in their experience during the processes of rehabilitation and labor reintegration as well as limitations for labor and social inclusion at the workplace and in society after a work-related incident. Conclusions: Reconvention of the workforce is not guaranteed for the patients who participated in this study. In Colombia, regulations concerning it are not consistent with the life experiences of those participating in this study. It is important to discuss this issue from other points of view such as those of companies and occupational risk insurance providers in order to better understand the career mobility situation of our patients.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever experiências do processo de reconversão de mão de obra em pacientes com patologia laboral que foram ao Consultório de Segurança Social Integral da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Antioquia. Metodologia: usaram-se algumas técnicas da Teoria Fundada para a coleta e análises simultâneos. Realizaram-se oito entrevistas semiestruturadas a pacientes que aceitaram participar. A informação se transcreveu e se analisou com a codificação aberta e axial da Teoria Fundada. Resultados: os pacientes descrevem em sua experiência múltiplos falhas em seus processos de reabilitação e reincorporação laboral, além de limitações para a inclusão laboral e social posterior a um evento de origem laboral. Conclusões: a reconversão de mão de obra não está garantida para os pacientes que participaram neste estudo. Em Colômbia a normatividade em matéria da reconversão é discordante com as experiências de vida dos participantes deste estudo. É importante avaliar o tema de reconversão de mano de obra desde outros pontos de vista como o são as empresas e as ARL (Asseguradora de Risco Laboral), com o fim de compreender de maneira mais ampla o que está passando em matéria de reconversão de mão de obra com nossos pacientes.

Effect of lung rehabilitation exercise on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To investigate the effect of lung rehabilitation exercise on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing chemotherapy.@*Methods@#From October 2016 to October 2018, 82 patients with NSCLC treated in Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital were randomly divided into control group (41 cases) and observation group (41 cases) according to random number table method.The control group was given routine intervention, while the observation group was given lung rehabilitation exercise on the basis of the control group.Both two groups were evaluated after 8 weeks of intervention.The changes of lung function, cancer-related fatigue and quality of life before and after intervention were compared between the two groups.@*Results@#After intervention, the FEV1% and FEV1/FVC in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=18.565, 11.207; control group: t=9.363, 6.028, all P<0.05). After intervention, the FEV1% [(64.38±3.79)%] and FEV1/FVC (69.47±6.54) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(56.74±2.85)% and (60.10±4.25)] (t=10.316, 7.692, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of body, cognition, behavior and emotion in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=17.663, 15.167, 12.304, 14.750; control group: t=9.869, 6.617, 7.566, 9.553, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of body [(6.57±0.31)points], cognition[(6.15±0.42)points], behavior[(6.32±0.31)points] and emotion [(6.28±0.21)points] in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(5.78±0.28)points, (5.41±0.48)points, (5.78±0.27)points and (5.82±0.25)points] (t=12.109, 7.429, 8.411, 9.021, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of social function, cognitive function, emotional function, role function, physical function and general health in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=14.487, 17.845, 22.025, 16.393, 11.665, 14.533; control group: t=9.880, 9.777, 10.797, 6.231, 6.838, 6.512, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of social function[(75.48±8.19)points], cognitive function[(72.43±6.32)points], emotional function [(71.93±5.74)points], role function[(63.25±7.86)points], physical function[(69.45±8.97)points] and general health[(68.39±7.54)points] in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(67.31±6.74)points, (60.38±5.75)points, (59.64±6.56)points, (51.47±10.29)points, (58.83±7.09)points and (56.82±7.38)points] (t=4.932, 9.030, 9.028, 5.825, 5.947, 7.022, all P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Lung rehabilitation exercise has good clinical effect on patients with NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy.It can alleviate cancer-related fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients.It is worthy of clinical reference.

Reabilitação física e reabilitação profissional: uma reflexão sobre a interface clínica e intersetorial no tratamento terapêutico ocupacional de uma trabalhadora / Physical and vocational rehabilitation: a reflection on the clinical and intersectoral interface in occupational therapy of a worker

Introdução: Observa-se que, nas sociedades tecnológicas, bem como no mundo do trabalho, ocorre uma paulatina desvinculação entre o fazer e o saber humano, sendo que tal fenômeno expõe o trabalhador a riscos de acidentes/adoecimento pelo trabalho, que, uma vez ocorridos, acarretam danos físicos, psíquicos e sociais. Nesse sentido, a reabilitação do trabalhador vítima de acidente/adoecimento pelo trabalho, no que concerne à reinserção no trabalho, é de competência do Sistema Único Saúde, ao passo que a reabilitação profissional é de competência do Instituto Nacional de Seguridade Social. Objetivo: Relatar uma experiência sobre o contexto da reabilitação física em terapia ocupacional com interface clínica e intersetorial no processo de reabilitação profissional de uma paciente sobre o contexto da reabilitação física. Método: O artigo apresenta um Relato de Experiência cujo cenário dos atendimentos é o Ambulatório de Reabilitação Física em Terapia Ocupacional que constitui o Campo de Estágio da Área Física do Departamento de Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Resultados: Os resultados demonstram que o processo de reabilitação profissional conduzido pelo INSS apresenta um caráter protocolar e de generalizações, bem como não dialoga com os outros setores envolvidos nesse processo, comprometendo sua eficácia junto ao beneficiário. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o contexto de reabilitação física em terapia ocupacional apresenta-se como um importante espaço de acolhimento das demandas relativas ao referido processo. Uma vez que proporciona tecnologias e dispositivos de escuta qualificada que corroboram com a superação das sequelas físicas, emocionais e sociais ocasionadas pelo acidente de trabalho.

Introduction: Technological societies, as well as the occupational field present a gradual disconnection between the doing and the human knowledge, and this phenomenon exposes the worker to the risk of occupational accidents/illness, which, once occurred, lead to physical, psychological and social damages. In this sense, the rehabilitation of the worker who is the victim of an occupational accident/illness, regarding reinsertion at work, is the responsibility of the Unified Health System, while professional rehabilitation falls within the competence of the National Institute of Social Security. Objective: To report an experience about the context of physical rehabilitation in occupational therapy with clinical and intersectoral interface in the process of professional rehabilitation of a patient on the context of physical rehabilitation. Method: The article shows an Experiential Report, whose attendance scenario is the Physical Rehabilitation Ambulatory in Occupational Therapy, which constitutes the Physical Area Training Field of the Occupational Therapy Department of the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Results: We show that the professional rehabilitation process conducted by INSS has a protocolary and generalized nature, as well as a lack of communication with the other sectors involved in this process, which compromises its effectiveness with the beneficiary. Conclusion: We conclude that the context of physical rehabilitation in occupational therapy presents itself as an important space of reception of the demands related to this process. It provides technologies and devices of qualified listening that corroborate with the overcoming of physical, emotional and social sequels caused by the occupational accident.

Construction of occupational management skills training mode for the mental rehabilitation patients：an action research / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To build occupational management skills training mode for the community patients with psychosis in recovery stage by using action research method. Methods Action research method was applied to mental rehabilitation patients in Sunshine Psychiatric Garden of Shanghai to manage vocational rehabilitation support. By literature verification and empirical experience, the key problems were found out, and goals were established. Then management skills according to planning, action, observation, reflection and correction were implemented. This circle were spiraled for 2-3 times stages, and verification and evaluation before and after action practice based on Negative Symptom Rating scale (SANS) and Social Disability Screening Scale (SDSS). Results The community mental vocational rehabilitation was built with action research and based on the evidence of foreign psychic rehabilitation supportive individual placement and support. The mode should consider the professional characteristics of technical, social and economic. Also, it should contain professional ability, social skills and job adaptability training and performance evaluation, and offer salary allowance. The factors of SANS in 21 patients after practice were significantly improved (P < 0.01), and most of the factors in the SDSS were significantly improved (P < 0.01). Conclusions Community psychic vocational rehabilitation using action research method is a kind of advanced nursing practice, and also a process of evidence-based practice, which can provide a systematic, specific, practical work method for community mental rehabilitation institutions to force vocational rehabilitation training.

Aspectos psicológicos e reabilitação profissional: revisão de literatura / Psychological aspects and vocational rehabilitation: a literature review

As doenças ocupacionais podem gerar prejuízos para a saúde mental dos trabalhadores, o que resulta em incapacidade laboral. A partir dos programas de reabilitação profissional, esses trabalhadores podem voltar a exercer uma atividade laborativa. Este artigo tem como objetivo realizar um levantamento bibliográfico a respeito da reabilitação profissional e dos aspectos psicológicos relacionados. Realizou-se rastreamento nas bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, o que resultou em um total de 70 artigos, posteriormente organizados nas categorias conceitos e políticas de reabilitação profissional, aspectos psicológicos em reabilitação profissional e processos de intervenção em reabilitação profissional. Estudos no campo da reabilitação profissional envolvendo aspectos da saúde mental são recentes, e observou-se um aumento nas publicações a partir da década de 2000. Aponta-se a necessidade da realização de estudos nessa área, a fim de ampliar a produção sobre os aspectos da saúde mental em reabilitação profissional...

Occupational diseases may cause damage to workers' mental health resulting in the incapacity to work. Through vocational rehabilitation programs these workers can be helped to return to work. This article is a literature review of studies related to vocational rehabilitation of workers suffering from psychological damage. Data were collected from national and international databases, resulting in a total of 70 articles that were organized into the following categories: concepts and policies of vocational rehabilitation, psychological aspects of vocational rehabilitation, and interventions in vocational rehabilitation. Studies in the field of vocational rehabilitation that involve aspects of mental health are recent, with an increase in publications since the 2000s. New studies within this field of knowledge are needed, aiming to increase the production related to mental health aspects in vocational rehabilitation...

Perfil dos trabalhadores vítimas de acidente de trabalho grave usuários de prótese do programa de readaptação profissional / Perfil de trabajadores víctimas de accidente laboral grave que utilizan prótesis en el programa de rehabilitación profesional / Profile of workers who are victims of a serious occupational accident who use prostheses in the professional rehabilitation program

Este estudo objetivou analisar o perfil dos trabalhadores com sequela permanente devido a Acidente de Trabalho (AT) participantes do Programa de Reabilitação Profissional (PRP) do Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) e verificar os fatores para a reinserção ou não no mercado de trabalho. Estudo transversal realizado na agência de Campinas (SP). A população de estudo foi constituída por todos os 40 trabalhadores inscritos no PRP, no período de 2007 a 2012. Os dados foram coletados diretamente dos prontuários das vítimas. A maioria dos trabalhadores era do sexo masculino (92,5%), jovem, na faixa etária de 18 a 29 anos e com baixa escolaridade. O acidente típico foi a causa de 30 ocorrências, das quais 20% dos casos resultaram em desvio de função. Com relação à ocupação, 60% trabalhavam na produção de bens e serviços industriais. Dos 40 participantes do PRP, 26 trabalhadores encontravam-se ativos no mercado de trabalho. Os resultados demonstraram que o objetivo de reinserção programa foi parcialmente alcançado nesta população de estudo. O PRP ainda está focado em critérios de funcionalidade, com o fornecimento de prótese, sem uma equipe multiprofissional para o monitoramento e adequado suporte psicossocial aos trabalhadores em processo de reabilitação profissional.

This study aimed to describe the profile of workers with permanent sequelae after Work Accident (WA), registered in the service of Professional Rehabilitation Program (PRP) of the National Institute of Social Security (NISS) in Campinas (SP), and checking the causes to the reinsertion or not in the labor market. Study population consisted of all workers of PRP, in the period from 2007 to 2012. Data were collected through a survey of information contained in records and the descriptive statistics were analyzed. Study population consisted of 40 subjects, 37 males. The workers most affected were aged 18?29 years and had lower education. The typical accident was the cause of 30 events, including 20% of these occurrences with deviation function in the job and 10 accidents on the way. The most workers have been working in the production of industrial goods and services (60%). Among the participants in the PRP, 26 workers have been active in the labor market. The results showed that the goal of reintegration program was partially achieved in this study population. The current program is focusing on criteria of functionality by providing prosthesis. There is not a multidisciplinary team for adequate monitoring and psychosocial support for the workers.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el perfil de los trabajadores con secuela permanente debido a Accidente de Trabajo (AT) inscritos en el Programa de Rehabilitación Profesional (PRP) del Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS), y verificar los factores de reinserción en el mercado laboral. Estudio transversal realizado en la agencia de Campinas (SP). La población de estudio consistió de los 40 trabajadores inscriptos del PRP, en el período comprendido entre 2007 y 2012. Los datos fueron recogidos directamente de los registros médicos de las víctimas. La mayoría de los trabajadores era del sexo masculino (92,5%), jóvenes entre 18 y 29 años y con bajo nivel educativo. El accidente típico fue la causa de 30 incidentes, siendo que 20% de los casos generó el desvío de función. En cuanto a la ocupación, el 60% trabajaba en la producción de bienes y servicios industriales. Entre los 40 participantes del PRP, 26 trabajadores estaban activamente en el mercado laboral. Los resultados demostraron que el objetivo del programa fue logrado parcialmente en esta población de estudio. El PRP aún está fijado en criterios de funcionalidad, proporcionando prótesis, sin equipo multiprofesional para monitoria y soporte psicososial adecuado a los trabajadores en proceso de rehabilitación profesional.

The effect of early rehabilitation on limb function and quality of life in patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the impact of early rehabilitation on limb function and quality of life in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods 120 patients with acute cerebral infarction patients as research subjects were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group of early rehabilitation.All patients in the 21 days within 24 hours after admission,after admission,35-day European Stroke Scale(ESS) to assess its degree of neurological deficit,and Barthel Index(BI) after 35 days of treatment on the patient's daily life activity were assessed using the stroke quality of Life Scale(QOF) assessment of the quality of life of patients.Results Early rehabilitation patients hospitalized 35d ESS score(80.3 ± 6.6)points ＞ 21d ESS score (74.4 ± 7.7)points ＞ admission within 24h score(61.4 ± 6.5)points,also significantly increased compared with the control group,the difference was statistically significance(t =4.5064,15.8041,all P ＜ 0.05);patients with early rehabilitation group therapy 35d after BI score (68.4 ± 17.7) points,significantly higher than before treatment (41.5 ± 16.5) points compared with the control group was significantly higher(t =6.9845,3.1484,all P ＜ 0.05) ; early rehabilitation group patients with 35d after QOF score(8.3 ± 0.6)points,significantly higher than before treatment(8.3 ± 0.6)points compared with the control group was significantly higher,the difference was statistically significant (t =7.2036,6.9424,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Early rehabilitation treatment can improve the patient's neurological deficit,improve the patient's limb movement disorder,and improve quality of life.

Desempenho dos segurados no serviço de reabilitação do Instituto Nacional de SeguridadeSocial / Performance of insured workers in the rehabilitation service at the National Institute for Social Security

O objetivo principal deste trabalho é verificar o desempenho dos segurados que participaram doprograma de reabilitação profissional junto ao Instituto Nacional de Seguridade Social (INSS) dePorto Alegre/RS. Método: Foram estudados todos os segurados participantes do processo de reabilitaçãoprofissional ao longo do ano de 2008 no INSS de Porto Alegre/RS. Por meio do Sistemade Administração de Benefício por Incapacidade e do Cadastro Nacional de Informações Sociais,foram coletadas todas as informações referentes aos seus benefícios e ao programa de reabilitaçãoprofissional. Os dados foram tabulados no programa SPSS for Windows 17.0, a partir do qualforam feitas todas as análises. Resultados: Os dados mostraram que 553 (69%) dos seguradoseram homens e 249 (31%), mulheres. Quanto à idade, variou entre 18 e 60 anos, com média de38,9 anos. Inicialmente, 645 (80,4%) estavam empregados e 157 (19,6%), desempregados. Apósum ano do término do programa de reabilitação, 29,4% dos segurados estavam trabalhando. Ossegurados empregados tiveram um retorno de 40,6% e 76,7% dos desempregados não retornaramao trabalho. Segurados em benefício por acidente de trabalho retornaram em 58,7 % doscasos e 29,6% dos segurados em auxílio-doença. Os segurados que permaneceram até um ano embenefício tiveram sucesso de 72,4% e com mais de cinco anos, 24,7%. Conclusão: Os seguradosempregados, em benefício espécie acidente de trabalho, durante tempo menor em benefício eque foram reabilitados dentro da própria empresa, alcançaram índice maior de retorno ao trabalhose comparados ao índice dos desempregados, com longos benefícios e aqueles cuja empresanão ofereceu outra função.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of insured workers who participatedin the vocational rehabilitation program from the INSS (National Institute of Social Security)in Porto Alegre/RS. Method: We selected all of the insured workers participating in thevocational rehabilitation process during the year of 2008 in Porto Alegre/RS at INSS. Through theAdministration System for Disability Benefits and the National Register of Social Information, allinformation was collected regarding the benefits and vocational rehabilitation program. The datawas tabulated using SPSS 17.0 for Windows in which all tests were made. Results: The resultsshowed that 553 (69%) of the insured were men and 249 (31%) were women. Their ages rangedfrom 18 to 60 years with an average of 38.9 years. Initially, 645 (80.4%) were employed and 157(19.6%), unemployed. One year after the end of the rehabilitation program, 29.4% of the insuredwere working. While 40.6% of those employed had returned to work, 76.7% of the unemployedhad not. Those on leave for accidents at work returned 58.7% of the time, and also 29.6% of thoseon sick leave. Those who remained on leave for one year had a success rate of 72.4%, and thosewith more than five years 24.7%. Conclusion: Those who remained employed, went on sick leavefor a shorter time, and were rehabilitated within the company enjoyed a higher rate of return towork than those who became unemployed, were off work for a longer time, and whose companydid not offer them another job.

Influence of the rehabilitation training on the function of knee in the patient with knee joint osteoarthritis after the arthroscopic surgery / 中国基层医药

Objective To discuss the effect under the arthroscope surgery and postoperative treat osteoarthritis with rehabilitation training.Methods 34 cases of osteoarthritis patients treated with the arthroscopy detectors were randomly divided into two groups:the therapeutic group(17 cases)and the control group(17 cases).The therapeutic group was treated with arthroscope surgery and rehabilitation training.The control group was treated only with arthroscopy surgery.All patients were followed up for 90 days.The postoperative pain,range of motion and joint function of the two groups were compared.Results The postoperative pain range of motion and joint function of the therapeutic group was significantly better than the control group(t=17.6,6.4,7.6,P＜0.05).Conclusion Rehabilitation training could relieve the postoperative pain and range of motion,improve the function of knee joint and increase the effect of clinical efficacy in the arthroscopic surgery of knee's under the osteoarthritis patients.

Mental Disorders and Fitness for Work in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the actual state of people with mental disorders in Korea, in order to present an alternative proposal for their work fitness and vocational rehabilitation. METHODS: The authors conducted this study through a review of statistics on the prevalence of mental disorder, labor laws, and the literatures related with work fitness and vocational rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. RESULTS: According to recent surveys, about 3 million people in Korea are likely to have mental disorders which could lead to discrimination in social life and dishonor in occupational career, either in the present or near future. Therefore, evaluation of work fitness and vocational rehabilitation for persons with mental disorders are important. At present, work fitness for psychiatric patients is evaluated without suitable guidelines regarding the kinds and severity of mental disorders that impede work capacity. Furthermore, mental disorder-specific fitness for work is not under consideration. CONCLUSION: It is true that most psychiatric patients have some limitation in performing their job. However, judging from the results of some research, proper displacement, apprehension of co-workers, and adjusted workplace could help them complete their tasks properly despite their troublesome psychiatric symptomatology. The government must help all citizens to do their best in their social life, and show a deep interest in the employment of all disabled people including those with psychiatric disorders. Above all we have to change our attitudes and preconceptions against people with mental disorders. Some labor laws, which presently impede employment of people with psychiatric disorders, need to be revised in their favor. Future work capacity evaluation should be done on the basis of ability to function in the workplace rather than symptomatology.