Failure to communicate: how terminology and forms confuse the work ability/disability evaluation process

To describe the current confusion in physician communication of patient work ability to insurers and employers.

Many medical conditions cause patients difficulty with resuming their normal work activities. Employers and insurers frequently ask physicians for information on patient's work ability.

A narrative review of the current status of physician communication to employers and insurers.

Physicians frequently fail to understand the terms risk, capacity, and tolerance. Also, the forms sent to physicians by insurers and employers are themselves a problem.

Physicians need to be educated in work ability assessment, and the forms used for communication need to be standardized.