Return to work a bumpy road: a qualitative study on experiences of work ability and work situation in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders

A. Peolsson; A. Hermansen; G. Peterson; E. Nilsing Strid

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10821-w

Table 2

Coding tree. Examples of meaning units, codes, subcategories and categories from content analysis of interviews with individuals with whiplash-associated disorders

Meaning unit Code Subcategory Category
Then I could recover over the weekend so I could cope with work again on Monday. But it was a really hard time. (Participant 5) Recover over the weekend to cope with work, hard times. 1.1 The bumpy road to return to work 1. Return to work – a process of setbacks and bureaucracy

One tried to work as hard as usual, 100%, as I did the whole time. But that did really not work. (Participant 7) Working as usual did not work

This job was good for me when I started it (…) but then this happened and I have to re-think (…) there must be a change because one is not getting any younger either. If I would continue doing this (job), the risk of more symptoms would be pretty high. I really think that. (Participant 8) To continue with the job increases the risk for symptom aggravation 1.2 Work motivation and confidence in future work ability

I do believe that I can continue work like this until I retire. I will have problems, pain that is, but it doesn’t matter what kind of job I have, because I think I’ll have to live with this pain, simple as that. But I got used to the idea and it works fine. And with these work tasks, absolutely, it works. (Participant 6) Pain will persist but I can live with it and be able to work until retirement

Meaning unit	Code	Subcategory	Category
Then I could recover over the weekend so I could cope with work again on Monday. But it was a really hard time. (Participant 5)	Recover over the weekend to cope with work, hard times.	1.1 The bumpy road to return to work	1. Return to work – a process of setbacks and bureaucracy

One tried to work as hard as usual, 100%, as I did the whole time. But that did really not work. (Participant 7)	Working as usual did not work	1.1 The bumpy road to return to work

This job was good for me when I started it (…) but then this happened and I have to re-think (…) there must be a change because one is not getting any younger either. If I would continue doing this (job), the risk of more symptoms would be pretty high. I really think that. (Participant 8)	To continue with the job increases the risk for symptom aggravation	1.2 Work motivation and confidence in future work ability

I do believe that I can continue work like this until I retire. I will have problems, pain that is, but it doesn’t matter what kind of job I have, because I think I’ll have to live with this pain, simple as that. But I got used to the idea and it works fine. And with these work tasks, absolutely, it works. (Participant 6)	Pain will persist but I can live with it and be able to work until retirement	1.2 Work motivation and confidence in future work ability