Medical fitness to return to work for disabled workers

Return to work for the disabled worker is one of the critical issues for both the person himself and his employer. The early return to work is a manifestation of social restoration for the disabled worker as well as an effective way to reduce social cost-related disabilities. Several studies on effectiveness of the formal return to work program have been reported. This program is one of the workplace disability management systems that promote the workplace accommodation for the disabled. The purpose of a medical assessment of fitness for return to work in this program is to make sure that an individual is fit to perform the task involved effectively and without risk to his own or to others' health and safety. Decision-making, the process of assessment of medical fitness, and the design for a return to work are discussed.