Perceptions of health professionals towards the management of back pain in the context of work: a qualitative study

Musculoskeletal complaints have a significant impact on work in terms of reduced productivity, sickness absence and long term incapacity for work. This study sought to explore GPs' and physiotherapists' perceptions of sickness certification in patients with musculoskeletal problems

'They know where to find us ….' Service providers' views on Early Support and minority ethnic communities

In this article we examine the views of multi‐professional service providers on the provision of Early Support for disabled children 0–3 years old from minority ethnic communities. We begin with a description of national policies relevant to this field and of Early Support before describing a national evaluation of its impact. We discuss findings from a sample of service providers. The range of views on provision for disabled children from diverse backgrounds is examined under three approaches. These are related to policy and research on access to services for minority ethnic communities. We argue that some of the views expressed are of concern, particularly in relation to assumptions made about service provider responsibilities. We also point out that the views of users from communities should not be assumed and consultation with communities and organizations representing them should be wide ranging and inclusive and built in from the outset of service provision

Employment for people with intellectual disability in Australia and the United Kingdom

Australia and the United Kingdom have implemented similar policy and legislative initiatives designed to enhance the participation of people with intellectual disability in the workforce. However, the results of these initiatives have differed across these two countries because of historical and administrative differences in the management of government-funded employment services for people with a disability. Similarities across both countries include increased funding for employment services for people with a disability, strong policy statements on the inclusion of people with a disability in the workforce, a dearth of meaningful data on the employment of people with intellectual disability, continuing high unemployment rates for this population, and the lack of an outcomes-focused approach to evaluating whether employment services are meeting the needs of people with intellectual disability and their families