[Work disability--a problem of many dimensions. Careful analysis can facilitate understanding]

Discrepancies between patients' and medical doctors' perceptions of disability as a result of illness and impaired function, respectively, is common in clinical practice. The evaluation of chronic pain is complicated, especially in a transcultural context. A multi-dimensional diagnostic schedule used at a health care center in a multiethnic community is discussed here. It encompasses somatic and psychiatric health, psychosocial pressure, social adaptation, pain communication, attitudes toward pain, and current place of employment. This schedule is used by two primary care physicians who assess patients' ability to participate in work and the extent to which their ability might be reduced.