Exploring What It Effectively Means to Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome's

<p>The intended goal of my study was to provide insight and generate theories abouthow the physical social and emotional effects of carpal tunnel syndrome affectedan employees ability to complete their employer-sponsored Return to Workprogram when they have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. </p><p>In order to do this I utilized a constructivist grounded theory methodology thatused Strauss and Corbin's microanalysis techniques during the semi structuredinterviews and observations in order to focus my attention on how the participantsacted and reacted during the interviews. Participants' actions and reactions wereused to generate open ended interview questions. </p><p>My study took place over a three-month time frame and consisted of consistedof 12 people (five men and seven women) from three separate companies in theUnited States of America. During this timeframe participants answered semistructuredand open-ended interview questions about their experience with CTSin the workplace how they dealt with having CTS in the workplace how theywere treated in and out of the RTW program by their employer and co-workersand why they felt their disease had a direct impact on how they were treated bytheir employer and co-workers. </p><p>Through the participants' thoughts feelings emotions and fears individualstories emerged which provided insight into the social existence and nonacceptanceCarpal Tunnel Syndrome has in the workplace. Through the use ofthe employees with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome words and experiences specificsabout the physical psychological psychosomatic and sociological experienceshelped in the construction of preliminary theories that showed how the cause andeffect reactions were the motivating factors of why employees with Carpal TunnelSyndrome did or did not complete their employers' Return to Work programs. </p>