This article summarizes the results of a recent role and function study completed in 2004 to determine the prevailing domains of disability management practice. The study also sought to establish an empirical basis for a certification exam for disability management specialists consistent with evolving standards of practice. Based on the expert panel's input, we developed a survey instrument and distributed it to a stratified, random sample of 1,500 disability management specialists. The results supported the subject matter experts' process of analysis and identification of three knowledge domains: (a) disability case management, (b) disability prevention and workplace intervention, and (c) program development, management, and evaluation. Survey results are provided, as well as implications for disability management practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Akabas, S.H., Gates, L.B., & Galvin, D.E. (1992). Disability management: A complete system to reduce costs, increase productivity, meet employer needs, and insure legal compliance . New York: AMACOM.
2.
American Educational Research Association. ( 1999). Standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association Publications.
3.
Bureau of National Affairs. (1979). Uniform guidelines on employee selection procedures. Washington, DC: Bureau of National Affairs Products .
4.
California Labor Code 139.5, State of California, Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers' Compensation, Mandatory Vocational Rehabilitation for Injured Workers. (Amended 2004)
5.
California Workers' Compensation Institute ( 1991). A Report to the Industry: Vocational Rehabilitation; the California Experience, 1975— 1989. California Workers' Compensation Institute Documents, Sacramento, CA.
6.
Castle Worldwide Psychometrics. (2004). Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission role and function analysis for the certified disability management specialist. Castle Practice Analysis Reports, Research Triangle Park, NC.
7.
Certification of Insurance Rehabilitation Specialists Commission. (1991). Work roles and functions of private, for-profit rehabilitation counselors. Rolling Meadows, IL: Certification of Insurance Rehabilitation Specialists Commission.
8.
Chan, F., Currier, K., Taylor, D., Wood, C., & Lui, J. (1999). A work behavior analysis of disability direct service providers: A preliminary report. Rolling Meadows, IL: Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission.
9.
Chan, F., Taylor, D., Currier, K., Chan, C.H., Wood, C., & Lui, J. (2001). A work behavior analysis of disability management specialists. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 5(1), 47—56.
10.
Currier, K., Chan, F., Berven, N., Habeck, R., & Taylor, D. (2001). Functions and knowledge domains for disability management practice: A Delphi study. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 44, 133—143.
11.
Currier, K., Chan, F., Taylor, D., & Wood, C. (1997). Disability management specialists: An investigation of major practice domains and associated knowledge areas. Rolling Meadows, IL: Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission.
12.
Galvin, D.E., Tate, D.G., & Schwartz, G.E. (1986). Disability management research: Current status, needs and implications for study. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 17(3), 43—48.
13.
Habeck, R. (1991). Managing disability in industry. NARPPS Journal, 6(4), 141—146.
14.
Habeck, R.V., & Kirchner, K. (1999). Case management issues within employer-based disability management. In F. Chan & M. J. Leahy (Eds.), Health care and disability case management (pp. 239—263). Lake Zurich, IL: Vocational Consultants Press.
15.
Hursh, N. (1997). Making a difference in the workplace. In W. Zimmerman (Ed.), Strategies for success. Port Alberni, BC: National Institute of Disability Management and Research.
16.
Kane, M.T., Kingsbury, C., Colton, D., & Estes, C. (1968). A study of nursing practice and role and delineation and job analysis of entry level performance of registered nurses. Chicago: National Council of State Boards of Nursing .
17.
National Commission for Certifying Agencies. ( 2002). Standards for the accreditation of certification programs . Washington, DC: NOCA Publications .
18.
Rosenthal, D., Hursh, N., Lui, J., Zimmerman, W., & Pruett, S.R. (2005). Case management issues within employer-based disability management. In F. Chan, M. Leahy, & J. Saunders (Eds.), Case management for rehabilitation health professionals (pp. 330—365). Lake Osage, MO: Aspen Professional Services.
19.
Rosenthal, D.A., & Olsheski, J. (1999). Disability management and rehabilitation counseling: Present status and future opportunities. Journal of Rehabilitation , 65(1), 31—38.
20.
Shrey, D.E. (1995). Worksite disability management and industrial rehabilitation: An overview. In D. E. Shrey & M. Lacerte (Eds.), Principles and practices of disability management in industry (pp. 3—54). Winter Park, FL: PMD Publishers Group.
21.
Shutan, B. (2003). Mindful of who's missing. A special sponsored report to the January 2003 issue of Employee Benefits News, 17(1). Retrieved March 28, 2004, from http://www.benefitsnews.com/disability/detail.cfm?id=3914
22.
Watson Wyatt Worldwide. (2001). Staying @ work: Integrated disability management around the world. Washington, DC: Author.
23.
Wilson, M.A., Harvey, R.J., & Macey, B.A. (1990). Repeating items to estimate the test—retest reliability of task inventory ratings. TheJournal of Applied Psychology, 75, 158—163.
24.
Wood, C., & Lui, J. (1999). The evolution of disability care and case management: Identifying core competencies. The Case Manager, 10(4), 41—45.
