Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS): A Comprehensive Assessment Tool for Psychiatric Evaluation

Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS): A Comprehensive Assessment Tool for Psychiatric Evaluation

In the realm of mental health assessment and treatment, selecting the appropriate tool is a crucial decision. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) must possess knowledge about the array of assessment tools at their disposal. One such tool is the Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS), a psychiatric assessment tool employed in psychotherapy. The EWPS is designed to gauge an individual’s work productivity and its sensitivity to mental illness. It delves into how mental health conditions can impact a person’s work performance, attendance, presenteeism, absenteeism, and overall productivity in a professional setting.

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The EWPS operates on a rating system that ranges from 0 (indicating no difficulty) to 4 (indicating constant difficulty) and comprises 25 questions, each scored on a five-point Likert scale. The overall scale score spans from 0 (best) to 100 (worst), reflecting the person’s subjective feelings, behaviors, or attitudes in the period leading up to the questionnaire (Noben et al., 2014). This assessment tool is particularly valuable when detailed insights are required into how an individual’s mental health may be impacting their work performance. It helps assess behavior, performance, emotional states, and thought processes during work activities. Additionally, it aids in monitoring the impact of psychopharmacological medications on the individual’s mental health and work-related functionality (Boezeman et al., 2016).

The EWPS was developed by Jean Endicott in 1994, and research was conducted to establish its psychometric properties. The study encompassed two groups: one from the community (66 individuals) and the other consisting of patients with depressive disorders (42 individuals) undergoing treatment. Among the depressed patients, half were female with an average age of 41 years, while 70 percent of the non-depressed individuals in the community sample were also female. Unfortunately, the age of the community group was not reported. Notably, there was no manual available for the scale. While the sample sizes were appropriate for preliminary test validation, they were somewhat inadequate in size. The total score on the EWPS reflects the extent to which behaviors and subjective feelings or attitudes that are likely to diminish work productivity and efficiency characterized the subject during the week preceding the assessment. Despite the need for larger sample sizes, the results showed a significant mean difference, indicating that the EWPS is accurate but may exhibit some bias in its outcomes. Nonetheless, in most cases, the study demonstrated that the EWPS is a suitable tool for measuring work productivity sensitivity in individuals (Endicott, 1994).

References

Boezeman, E. J., Nieuwenhuijsen, K., & Sluiter, J. K. (2016). Predictive value and construct validity of the work functioning screener‐healthcare (WFS‐H). Journal of Occupational Health, 58(2), 163-169. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.15-0056-oa

Endicott, J. (1994). Endicott Work Productivity Scale.

Noben, C. Y., Evers, S., Nijhuis, F. J., & De Rijk, A. E. (2014). Quality appraisal of generic self-reported instruments measuring health-related productivity changes: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-115

 

RESPONSE

You’re very welcome! I’m glad you found the information about the Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS) helpful and informative. The scale is indeed a valuable tool, especially in the context of the evolving work environment, where assessing both efficiency and productivity is crucial, particularly with the increasing prevalence of remote work arrangements. This metric can provide insights into how mental health conditions might affect an individual’s ability to perform optimally in their work role.

I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective on the positive direction in which the mental health field is moving. It’s essential to recognize that mental health diagnoses can have a multifaceted impact on various aspects of an individual’s life, including their professional life. As you pointed out, conditions like depression can impair concentration, memory, and decision-making, making it necessary to consider these factors in the workplace.

The utilization of evidence-based assessment tools like the EWPS can be invaluable not only in helping individuals understand their own mental health’s impact on their work but also in providing objective, data-driven information to employers. This can lead to more informed decisions regarding accommodations or personalized productivity strategies, ultimately fostering a more supportive and accommodating work environment.

Thank you for sharing your insights and providing additional references. The citation from Endicott and Nee (1997) and the link to the National Institute of Mental Health’s Depression Basics offer valuable resources for further exploration of this topic. If you have any more questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!

References

Endicott, J., & Nee, J. (1997). Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS): a new measure to assess treatment effects. Psychopharmacology bulletin, 33(1), 13–16.

National Institute of Mental Health (2020). Depression Basics. Retrieved September 12, 2020 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml