Purpose: To describe reasons for not starting and to determine expectations and perceived value of multidisciplinary treatment among referred patients, sick-listed due to upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders
Method: Twenty-six randomly chosen referred patients who did not start the treatment were interviewed by telephone to identify their reasons for not starting and 24 randomly chosen patients who participated in the treatment were interviewed face-to-face to explore their expectations and experiences of multidisciplinary treatment.
Results: Reasons for not starting the treatment are mainly intrinsic to the treatment. The most important reason was that the treatment was thought to be too psychological in nature. Most treated patients had no prior expectations but saw it as a last resort for their complaints. The psychological (cognitive-behavioural) component was perceived as the most useful part that acquired the ability to cope with their complaints and developed an increased self-awareness. Most treated patients are satisfied, although some said the treatment did not meet their expectations, because their complaints had not disappeared.
Conclusion: The most important reason for not starting the treatment was the assumption that the treatment is too psychological in nature, while in treated patients the psychological sessions were perceived as most useful treatment component.