SSA’S USER NEEDS ANALYSIS (UNA) FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (OIS) CONTENT MODEL

SSA’S USER NEEDS ANALYSIS

(UNA) FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL

INFORMATION SYSTEM (OIS) CONTENT MODEL

Shirleen Roth and Michael DunnSocial Security Administration

Office of Program Development and Research

January 2010

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Overview Objectives Research Question Research Participants Development Methodology Results Discussion

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The Two Worlds of WorkAbstract/Hypothetical

Specific/Observable/Verifiable

Use Swiss-hole

micrometerto adjustdrill press

Use Swiss-hole

micrometer to

adjust bottling machine

Carry heavy Objects

(51-100lbs.)by hand for

< 50 feet

Hand-HeldTools

Carry bricks

and mortarto masons

on scaffoldingusing hod

Sit forlong

periods

Use tapemeasure

to measurelumberto be milled

MechanicalActivities

Things

CarryLift

Physical

What is923 / 27

?

What is103 / 12

?

< 10 lbs

ManagingEmotions

“Turn theother cheek”

if provoked at work?

Data People

“Can you…”“Does the job require you to…”

Use displays,gauges, meters,

measuringinstruments

Physical andMechanical

Activities

Use sightand visualinformation

GettingInformation

Workers directlyinvolved in machine

operations

CommunicatingWith People

Inside theOrganization

Delegatejob activities

to clericalworkers

Mathe-matical

Reasoning

DynamicStrength

Organizing,Planning,Prioritizing

Addition

10 lbs

20 lbs

50 lbs

100 lbs

Division PerceivingEmotions

Justify taking

revenge ifyou werestronglyslighted?

See smalldetails of

close objects

Unload 70 poundbags of salt and

empty intowater

treatmentsystem

Visually inspect

newly cut diamondsfor flawswithout

magnifica-tion aids

Mental/Cognitive

Interpersonal/Temperaments

ColorDiscrimi-

nation

WrittenCompre-hension

EmotionalIntelli-gence

Person-Side Job-Side

1

2

3

4

5

3 digitby 2 digit

w/remainder

2 digitby 1digit,

noremainder

Repeat-edly

Occasion-ally

PhysicalDemands

Level

UseOther

Senses

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Objectives Primary Objective: Development of OIS

Content Model Secondary Objective: Inform Future

Integration of the OIS into SSA’s Disability Claims Processes

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Research Question What occupational, vocational, and

medical-vocational information does SSA need or would SSA like to have in order to adjudicate claims for adult disability benefits?

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Research Participants Research participants were SSA users of

occupational information (that is, SSA disability adjudicators and reviewers).

SSA is respectful of needs and contributions of other users of occupational information.

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SSA UNA Development Evolved out of a series of prior

investigations◦ Physical and Mental Demands of Work

Questionnaire◦ UNA Pretest Atlanta, GA◦ UNA Pretest Chicago, IL

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Methodology: Sampling Frame SSA headquarters components and DDS

offices in the Philadelphia region Particular office selection based on:

◦ Public Law (P.L.) 104-13, The Paperwork Reduction Act (1995)

◦ Our ability to obtain a professional and geographically diverse sample

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Methodology: Sampling Frame Factors considered in office selection:

◦ Time and resource constraints◦ Goal was to include at least three DDS offices◦ Centralized and decentralized DDS office

structures◦ Service areas with potential differences in

industries or occupations◦ Willingness to participate

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Participating Offices Disability Determination Services (DDS), Maryland DDS Clarksburg, West Virginia DDS, Greensburg, Pennsylvania Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), Office of

Appellate Operations Office of Operations, Atlanta Regional Office, Center for Disability

Operations Office of Operations, Chicago Regional Office, Center for Disability Office of Quality Performance (OQP), Atlanta Disability Quality

Branch (DQB) OQP, Baltimore DQB OQP, Chicago DQB Office of Retirement and Disability Policy, Office of Medical and

Vocational Expertise

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Methodology: Interviews Presented to participants as a brainstorming

activity Semi-structured design

◦ Questions◦ Written responses were analyzed in conjunction

with digital recordings◦ Digital recordings◦ Duration of one hour

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Methodology: Interviews Nine Impairments selected:

◦ Herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine◦ Osteoarthritis of the upper and lower extremities◦ Depression◦ Ischemic heart disease◦ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease◦ Borderline intellectual functioning ◦ Cerebrovascular accident◦ Schizophrenia ◦ Multiple Sclerosis

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Sample Questionnaire Picture an individual with (insert

impairment); what work-related limitations or restrictions might a person have as a result of this impairment?

Additional follow-up questions provided for each impairment.

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Methodology: Focus Groups Primary source of information in the UNA Developed to:

◦ Elicit users’ perceptions of the essential physical and mental/cognitive requirements of work, and

◦ Elicit any ideas for later integration of the OIS into SSA’s disability claims processes, including improvements in documenting a claimant’s allegations and past relevant work.

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Sample Questions Based on your interview, what are some of

the requirements of work (physical/mental) with regards to the various impairments discussed?

Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding how to obtain information about the claimant’s functioning more efficiently?

Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding how to obtain information about the claimants past work more efficiently?

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Results Physical Data Sensory Data Environmental Data Mental Data Task Data Workplace Tolerances, Flexibilities, and

Standards General Comments and Suggestions

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Discussion of Results Generated a substantial number of ideas

and opinions from subject matter experts, Produced consistent responses in terms of

Content Model data elements and measurements,

Generated unique ideas for later integration of the OIS into SSA’s disability claims process, and

Produced wish list of items for new OIS.

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Discussion of Results Themes

◦ Content Model: Worker Traits and Work Demands◦ Updated Occupational Information Versus an

Updated Dictionary of Occupational Titles◦ Data Versus Their Application◦ Classification: US Labor Market Connection◦ Data Suggestions for Work History and

Transferability Assessments◦ Work Options