| Name of the Instrument/Tool | Work Ability Score (WAS) |
| First Description |
Gould R, Ilmarinen J, Järvisalo J: Dimensions of work ability. Results from the Health 2000 Survey. Helsinki (Finland): Finnish Centre for Pensions; 2008. p. 25–34. Occup Environ Health. 2008, 81: 495-501. |
| Year | 2008 |
| Domains | |
| Concept of constructs | Work, Health related quality of life |
| Population/Disease | Generic |
| Originally developed for | --- |
| Other rheumatic diseases where can be applied (only if validated) |
Chronic musculoskeletal pain |
| Additional population with no rheumatic diseases |
Yes Worker population |
| Language: Originally published in | English |
| Available in Language | German, Finnish |
| REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION | |
| Author/s | Gould R, Ilmarinen J, Järvisalo J |
| Title | Dimensions of work ability. Results from the Health 2000 Survey. Helsinki (Finland): Finnish Centre for Pensions |
| Journal | Occup Environ Health |
| Year | 2008 |
| Vol | 81 |
| Num | 495-501 |
| Pages | 25–34. |
| Country | Finland |
| Language | English |
| Other references of interest | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23565883/ |
| Brief Description |
Work ability assessment in a worker population: comparison and determinants of Work Ability Index and Work Ability score. |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34223988/ |
| Brief Description |
Comparison of the work ability index and the work ability score for predicting health-related quality of life. |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34037926/ |
| Brief Description |
Measurement Properties of the Work Ability Score in Sick-Listed Workers with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. |
| Instrument/Tool Translations References | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35431217/ |
| Brief Description |
Work ability score as predictor of rehabilitation, disability pensions and death? A German cohort study among employees with back pain. |
| Link | https://brieflands.com/articles/healthscope-20187.html |
| Brief Description |
Work Ability Score (WAS) as a Suitable Instrument to Assess Work Ability Among Iranian Workers. |
| DEVELOPER CONTACT INFORMATION | |
| Correspondence to | Raija Gould |
| raija.gould@etk.fi | |
| Address | Research Department , Finnish Centre for Pensions , Helsinki , Finland. |
| Website | --- |
| Available | --- |
| Links | --- |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT | |
| Type Of Measure | Score |
| Brief Description |
Score from 0 to 10 that indicates current work ability. The patients are to compare their current work ability with their best lifetime work ability so that a score of 0 represented full work disability and a score of 10 indicated work ability at its best. |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Range | 0-10 |
| Responses options/scale |
No |
| Developed for | Both |
| PRACTICAL APPLICATION | |
| Method of administration | Interviewer/assessor |
| Recommendations to score |
A number between 0 and 10 is selected. 0 represents full work disability and a score of 10 indicates work ability at its best |
| Score Interpretation | Higher scores indicate better work ability |
| Cut-off points | Excellent (10 points), good (8–9 points), moderate (6–7 points), and poor (0–5 points). |
| Cut-off points applied to | --- |
| Smallest detectable change if described | --- |
| Smallest detectable change applied to | --- |
| Completion time by the patient | - minutes |
| Scoring time by the assessor | - minutes |
| Training to score | Not necessary |
| Strengths | Easy to use |
| Limitations | --- |
| OTHER COMMENTS | |
| Other Comments | --- |