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. 2013 Dec;31(4):227–234. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2013.844412

Table II.

Description of the patients presented in the video vignettes, gender, age, demography, complaints, and self-assessment of disability.

Vignette Gender, age Demography First complaint mentioned in consultation/principal complaint Secondary complaints Self-assessment of disability
1 ♀ 25 Single, no children
Interrupted secondary education
Currently in rehabilitation program
Several short-time jobs and sick-leave spells
General pain in the neck, the back and in arms
Intense pain 24 hours per day, 7 days a week
Respiratory complaints, no objective findings of asthma or other known somatic disease
Anxiety and depression periodically treated with antidepressants
Expresses hope to achieve ability to work, but needs substantial improvement in health conditions first
2 ♂ 40 Married, two children
Working offshore on oil platform as a mechanic – two weeks on, four weeks off work
Several shorter periods of sick leave and two long spells (one year each)
Back and neck pain Sleep disturbances due to pain
Irritable bowel syndrome,
skin eczema
The work is physically hard and provokes pain
He does not see himself in this job until retirement, but the salary and long periods off work make him keep the job
3 ♀ 53 Housewife for 20 years with five foster-care children in addition to two biological children
The fostering years have ended and her income consequently also
Bringing up foster children has been challenging due to narcotics and psychiatric disorders in the foster children
Generalized, widespread non-specific pain Anxiety, non-insulin dependent diabetes,
general fatigue, no energy left
She has not had any working experiences outside home for nearly 30 years
She feels exhausted and wants to be left alone with no demands of working activity or qualification for work
4 ♂ 37 Married, unknown number of children.
Previously working offshore, but started as self-employed in construction
General intense fatigue No other complaints but has read about CFS which he finds fits his problems
Economic burdens due to poor benefit coverage as self-employed
No work capacity
5 ♂ 42 Married, three children
Works as formwork carpenter
No previous history of sick leave
A 12-year-old daughter with serious behavioural problems, she refuses to go to school, meets her parents with substantial aggression, runs away from home. The girl is enrolled in a behavioural training program with great demands of parents’ involvement
He feels physically and psychologically exhausted, afraid that he might collapse
No energy left to deal with his daughter after work
No other complaints. He needs time off to deal with his family problems
The program is set for 3–4 months
6 ♀ 37 No information on marital status or children
Working in a kindergarten
Previous four-month sick leave for same complaints was followed by no symptoms for one and a half years
Periodic numbness, staring like a toothache, followed by headache and a sensation of anesthesia on the right side of the body; things slips out of her hand
Extensive medical examination has not proved any cause for the symptoms
No other complaints Difficult to work with these complaints, unsure about sick leave
7 ♀ 35 No information on marital status or children
Working as teacher in primary school
No previous sick leave history, no previous psychiatric or somatic disorder
Feeling tired, weak, doesn't get things done, struggling, powerless, sleep disturbances
Relates the symptoms to work overload
No other complaints She feels she may need time out from work
8 ♂ 36 Married, two small children
Working as teacher at comprehensive level
Very active sports trainer, coaches a 1st division handball team
No previous sick leave history, no previous psychiatric or somatic disorder
Worried about possible serious illness despite negative examinations so far
An affair a year ago bothers him a lot
Pain started in the jaw muscle, following in the neck, head, and stomach Sleep disturbances,
frustrated, lack of energy, withdrawal from social events and friends, anxious
He wants to return to work but not for the moment
9 ♂ 38 Married, no children
Works as a technician in an events bureau, producing big shows, theatres, films
As the work is located in another city 270 km away he commutes weekly
General tiredness from work and commuting, low energy
According to his wife, he is irritable and passive, even aggressive towards his wife
No other complaints The wife makes the doctor's appointment as he himself has left work three weeks ago and made no contact with his employer