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Table 1 Participant demographic and occupational characteristics

From: Return to work after carpal tunnel release surgery: a qualitative interview study

Pseudonym

Sex

Age category (years)

Healthcare setting

Type of work contracta

Work role

Available sick pay

Dominant hand

Side of CTR

Post-operative work absence (days)

Interview timing (days after surgery)

Expected

Actual

Jill

F

51–60

NHS 2

Employed

Sales assistant

Unsure

Right

Right

14

21

119

Debbie

F

51–60

NHS 1

Employed

Nurse

> 6 months

Right

Right

21

21

152

Alan

M

51–60

NHS 1

Self-employed

Maintenance

< 1 week

Right

Right

7

7

151

Sarah

F

61–70

NHS 1

Self-employed

Stable owner

> 6 months

Right

Right

NR

0

123

Peter

M

51–60

NHS 2

Employed

Mechanic

< 1 week

Right

Left

21

16

130

Emma

F

51–60

NHS 2

Employed

Optician

1–6 months

Both

Left

42

42

115

George

M

61–70

NHS 2

Self-employed

Gardener

< 1 week

Left

Right

21

14

155

Helen

F

51–60

NHS 1

Employed

Nurse

> 6 months

Right

Right

21

8

149

Fiona

F

21–30

NHS 1

Employed

Animal technician

1–6 months

Right

Right

21

21

160

Donna

F

31–40

NHS 2

Employed

Police officer

1–6 months

Right

Left

14

42

118

Charlotte

F

41–50

NHS 2

Employed

Postal worker

1–6 months

Right

Right

21

98

119

Vicky

F

41–50

Private

Employed

Secretary

1–6 months

Right

Right

7

4

114

Amanda

F

41–50

Private

Employed

Administrator

> 6 months

Right

Right

14

6

155

Alison

F

41–50

NHS 2

Zero hours contract

Carer

< 1 week

Right

Right

21

28

94

  1. aAll participants listed as employed reported having a permanent work contract
  2. CTR carpal tunnel release, NR not reported, F female, M male, NHS 1 NHS primary care, NHS 2 NHS secondary care, private private healthcare setting