A Vocational Rehabilitation Index and Return to Work after Compensable Occupational Injuries in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Athanasou
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Psychological Problem ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Vocational Assessment ◽  
Length Of Treatment ◽  
Returning To Work

This study examined the personal factors as measured by the Vocational Rehabilitation Index and their influence on returning to work after compensable occupational injuries. The participants comprised 462 patients (335 males; 127 females) who underwent a vocational assessment. The length of time since the injury occurred varied from less than 1 year to 15 years with a mean of 3 years (SD = 2). Results indicated that only 23% had returned to work. Just on 30% of the patients had not worked at all since the accident and some 48% had returned to work but were now not working. The major influences on return to work following an occupational injury that were statistically significant (p < 0.001) were (a) the length of treatment (i.e., time since the injury), and (b) whether there was a psychological problem. The findings support the validity of the Vocational Rehabilitation Index for predicting the probability of return to work following an accident.

Abstract TP148: Characteristics and Estimated Rehabilitation Costs for Stroke Survivors Treated in a Community-Based Interdisciplinary Outpatient Rehabilitation Program Who Return to Work

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Breen ◽  
Jeanne Andrusin ◽  
Tom Ferlito ◽  
Samantha Hobbs
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Treatment Cost ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Outpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Length Of Treatment ◽  
Returning To Work

Background: Return to work is a motivating goal for many stroke survivors. Little is known about the cost, length of treatment, and characteristics of patients returning to work. Methods: Prospective observational study of stroke patients treated between 12/2014-6/2016 in an interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program addressing physical, psychosocial, cognitive, communicative, driving, and vocational issues. The estimated average cost of treatment was calculated from reimbursement amounts received for skilled PT, OT, ST, and Nurse Practitioner services, including services received after patients returned to work. Results: Of 96 consecutive patients, 48% were working prior to their stroke. Of these, 9% of patients were work capable and 44% returned to work (n=20) by rehabilitation discharge (mean program length was 8 months, maximum of 34 months). Returning workers were 70% men, mean age of 56 years, 75% ischemic strokes (4 Left, 4 Right, 3 Bi-lateral hemisphere, 4 posterior circulation), and on program admit had an average NIHSS score of 3.4 (range 0-9), 40% were aphasic, 65% needed ADL assistance (55% mRS=3, 10% mRS=4). All patients working prior to their stroke were also driving and 90% of those who returned to work also returned to driving. All patients demonstrated improvements in multiple standardized rehab outcome measures. Mean treatment cost for patients who returned to work was $17,730 (60% had costs less than $7,500; 25% had costs from $7,501-$21,000; 15% had costs from $50,000-$92,000). Services continued for 75% of patients after returning to work for an average of 3.7 months(included in mean program length of 8 months). Almost half of these patients (47%) were aphasic. Mean treatment cost for patients not returning to work was $22,561, with mean program length of 6.5 months. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that interdisciplinary, outpatient rehabilitation programs can promote successful return to work at a reasonable cost, with 60% of patients who returned to work costing less than $7500. Aphasic patients needed longer treatment, but were able to successfully return to work. Additional outcomes research is needed to understand mechanisms supporting stroke patients’ return to work and other patient-centered goals.

scholarly journals Patient Perspectives on Key Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Interventions Following Traumatic Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2035
Author(s):  
Kay Bridger ◽  
Blerina Kellezi ◽  
Denise Kendrick ◽  
Kate Radford ◽  
Stephen Timmons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Patient Perspectives ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychological Recovery ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Life Engagement

Returning to work after traumatic injury can have a range of benefits, but there is currently little research that incorporates patient perspectives to identify outcomes of vocational rehabilitation interventions that are important to survivors. Trauma survivors (n = 17) participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews or focus groups exploring outcomes that were important to them for recovery and return to work. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified a range of outcomes that they considered important and necessary to facilitate a successful and sustainable return to work: physical and psychological recovery, purposeful life engagement, managing expectations of recovery, managing expectations about return to work, and employers’ expectations. Our participants advocated for a multifaceted and biopsychosocial understanding of recovery and outcomes that need to be captured for vocational rehabilitation interventions. Implications for practice and research are discussed, and recommendations are given based on the findings.

Injuries and Occupational Safety

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn N. Castillo ◽  
Timothy J. Pizatella ◽  
Nancy A. Stout
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hierarchical Approach ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Injury Control

This chapter describes occupational injuries and their prevention. It describes in detail the causes of injuries and epidemiology of injuries. Occupational injuries are caused by acute exposure in the workplace to safety hazards, such as mechanical energy, electricity, chemicals, and ionizing radiation, or from the sudden lack of essential agents, such as oxygen or heat. This chapter describes the nature and the magnitude of occupational injuries in the United States. It provides data on risk of injuries in different occupations and industries. Finally, it discusses prevention of injuries, using a hierarchical approach to occupational injury control.

scholarly journals Qualitative Evidence from Studies of Interventions Aimed at Return to Work and Staying at Work for Persons with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1247
Author(s):  
Gunilla M. Liedberg ◽  
Mathilda Björk ◽  
Elena Dragioti ◽  
Christina Turesson
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Moderate Evidence ◽  
Staying At Work ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Key Terms

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a significant burden for employees, employers, and society. However, more knowledge is needed about which interventions reduce sick leave. Interventions were defined as the act or an instance of intervening, provided by different stakeholders. This review synthesizes the experiences of patients, employers, and health professionals concerning the interventions that influence returning to work and staying at work for persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A literature search was performed using several combinations of key terms. Overall, 18 qualitative studies published between 2002 and 2018 were included. Qualitative analysis assessed how much confidence could be placed in each review finding. Moderate evidence was found for factors improving the return to work process such as collaboration between stakeholders, including the persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain and support from all involved actors in the process. Moderate evidence was found for self-management strategies and workplace adjustments needed to facilitate more persons to returning to work and staying at work despite pain. This review provides stakeholders, employers, and health professionals’ information that could be used to develop and implement interventions to increase the possibilities for persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain returning to work or staying at work

scholarly journals Relationship between workers’ return to work, job retention and income in industrial accidents in Korea: a longitudinal study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e039948
Author(s):  
Suk Won Bae ◽  
Inchul Jeong ◽  
Jin-Ha Yoon ◽  
Seung Wook Lee ◽  
Tae Hyun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Job Retention ◽  
Industrial Accidents ◽  
Priority Assignment

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare workers’ income before and after an occupational injury, with regard to return to work and job retention, over a period of 5 years.DesignThis study was designed as a longitudinal study.SettingThe Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (PSWCI) survey targeted workers involved in industrial accidents for which medical care was terminated in the year 2012.ParticipantsThe panel study was conducted on a final sample of 2000 workers who were selected proportionally by region (nine regions) after priority assignment by disability rating (six levels). A total of 1458 workers were finally included in this study.MethodsThis study used data from the first to fifth PSWCI. To identify the effect on income after occupational injury considering return to work and job retention, we used the generalised estimating equation.ResultsIn regard to workers’ return to work, the OR that income after an occupational injury would be higher than that before an occupational injury was 3.17 (2.41–4.17) for those who returned to original work and 2.32 (1.81–2.97) for those re-employed as compared with who did not return to work and 1.27 (1.07–1.15) for those who retained their job as compared with those who did not. The ORs were 2.91 (2.26–3.75) for those who were re-employed and retained jobs and 2.96 (2.15–4.08) for those who returned to original work and did not retain jobs as compared with those who did not return to work and did not retain jobs.ConclusionsIt is important for accident victims to retain their jobs to maintain their economic status.

Consumer perspectives of vocational rehabilitation and return to work following acquired brain injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Kerrin Watter ◽  
Areti Kennedy ◽  
Vanette McLennan ◽  
Jessica Vogler ◽  
Sarah Jeffery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
System Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Workplace Supports ◽  
Vocational Goals

Abstract Introduction: Following acquired brain injury, the goal of return to work is common. While return to work is supported through different rehabilitation models and services, access to vocational rehabilitation varies within and between countries, and global rates of employment post-injury remain low. The literature identifies outcomes from vocational programs and experiences with return to work, yet little is known about individuals’ perceptions and experiences regarding rehabilitation to support their vocational goals and experiences in attempting to return to work. Method: This qualitative study investigated the experiences of community-living adults with acquired brain injury (n = 8; mean age 45 years; mean time post-injury of 5.5 years) regarding their vocational rehabilitation and return to work. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted, with data analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: Participants identified negative and positive experiences with vocational rehabilitation and return to work. Five overarching themes were identified: addressing vocational rehabilitation in rehabilitation; facilitators of recovery and return to work; the importance and experience of working again; acquired brain injury and identity; and services, systems and policies. Participants also identified five key areas for early vocational rehabilitation services: education; service provision; employer liaison; workplace supports; and peer mentors. Study findings inform current and future practice and service delivery, at a clinical, service and system level.

scholarly journals Theoretical perspectives upon the return to work of cancer patients: The difficult path of integration in the organization

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radu-Ioan Popa
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
General Framework ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Returning To Work

Abstract The present article follows an in-depth analysis of several relevant articles and major findings concerning the return to work of cancer patients, in various situations, from a manager and patient point of view, putting into discussion the effects and consequences of different factors that may influence the well-being of the patient at work and impact the organizational life. The concepts of returning to work and integration are scarcely analysed throughout the scholarly literature in the case of employees diagnosed with cancer, due to several reasons presented in the paper: from the complex topic of investigation that many studies fail to approach in terms of confidentiality, technical, ethical and moral grounds to the specific and difficult apparatus for research in the case of an even more complex, multiple instances and personalized manifestation long-term illness. In conclusion, the general framework solicits for a more integrated model of research and future multi-facet schemes for interventions, considering that there is a general consensus focusing on the need for connecting the health services with the employee and employer level, alongside stakeholders’ active participation.

Predictors of return to work after open triple-branched stent graft placement for acute type A aortic dissection

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanjuan Lin ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
Haoruo Zhang ◽  
Yanchun Peng ◽  
Sailan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Stent Graft ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Acute Type ◽  
Aortic Cross Clamp Time ◽  
Aortic Cross Clamp ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Graft Placement ◽  
Returning To Work

Abstract OBJECTIVES To investigate the rate of returning to work within 12 months after open triple-branched stent graft placement in acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients and the reasons why patients did not return to work. METHODS We conducted this cohort study of AAAD patients who were discharged alive from the hospital at Fujian Cardiac Center during the period 2013–2018. The collected data included the patients’ baseline characteristics, employment status at 12 months after AAAD and variables classifying the potential reasons for those who did not return to work at 12 months. We applied logistic regression to estimate the factors associated with returning to work at 12 months. RESULTS One year after AAAD hospitalization, of the 326 AAAD patients, 81 (24.8%) returned to work, 231 (70.9%) did not and 14 (4.3%) died. Among the 231 patients who did not return to work, 105 (45.5%) were unable to work because of AAAD and 36 (15.6%) lost job owing to AAAD. After adjustment for other risk factors, age, female sex, type of work, operating time, aortic cross-clamp time and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay were still significantly associated with a lower chance of returning to work. CONCLUSIONS Less than 25% of the previously employed patients returned to work at 12 months after AAAD. Older age, female sex, manual or semi-skilled professional work, a longer operating time, a longer aortic cross-clamp time and a longer length of ICU stay were associated with a lower likelihood of returning to work.

Supporting work for people with multiple sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Doogan ◽  
E Diane Playford
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vocational Assessment ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services

People with multiple sclerosis experience some of the highest rates of unemployment among groups of individuals with severe and chronic disabilities. While unpredictable relapses, physical and cognitive symptoms all may play a role in job loss, it is more likely that job loss can be attributed to a complex interaction between disease-related factors and contextual factors, such as the working environment, and employer attitudes. This interaction leads to the concept of work instability, that is, the mismatch between work demands and the individual’s capacity to meet these demands. Vocational rehabilitation services aim to provide people with multiple sclerosis vocational assessment, rehabilitation and support to enable them to find, regain or remain in work and access other occupational and educational opportunities. Such services consist of a multidisciplinary team with the ability to provide education around disclosure, and work-place accommodations, offer emotional support, maintain work performance, liaise with employers, and support to re-enter the workplace. Helpful interventions include early disclosure, proper workplace accommodation, education of employers, and government-funded initiatives to support disabled employees. Future research needs to agree on methods of recording outcomes and evaluate specific vocational rehabilitation interventions.

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