Table 6 Sources of variation. Potential factors for the three sources of variation (psychiatrists, patients, residuals) which may contribute to the variance in overall WC ratings (modified from [5, 30])
Source of variation | Factors that may impact on the variance of overall work capacity |
|---|---|
Psychiatrists | • Experience in disability evaluation • Knowledge about previous work • Structuring and prioritizing of information • Psychiatrists’ idiosyncrasies (e.g. leniency/strictness) |
Patients | • Socio-demographic features • Diagnosis, severity of disorder • Compliance, including malingering • Skills in presenting their case • Symptom exaggeration |
Residuals | • Interaction psychiatrists*patients • Interaction patient*last job; patient*‘alternative work’ |
External factors: • Changes in legislation with impact on medical evaluations • Interferences of legal demands with medical judgements • Turn-over of staff involved in the studies • Overall attitude in society towards disability |