Developing vocational rehabilitation services for people with long-term neurological conditions: Identifying facilitators and barriers to service provision

Introduction This study aimed to understand existing vocational rehabilitation service provision in one locality in London (population 3.74 million), identify any gaps and explore reasons for this, to support service development. Method Using soft systems methodology to guide the research process, semi-structured interviews were completed with nine participants, who were clinicians and managers providing vocational rehabilitation within a National Health Service context. Data were analysed thematically to build a ‘rich picture’ and develop a conceptual model of vocational rehabilitation service delivery. Findings were then ratified with participants at an engagement event. Results The findings indicate a spectrum of vocational rehabilitation service provision for long-term neurological conditions with differing levels of funding in place. Vocational rehabilitation often takes place ‘under the radar’ and therefore the true vocational rehabilitation needs of this population, and the extent of service provision, is not known. There is inconsistency of understanding across the services as to what constitutes vocational rehabilitation and outcomes are not routinely measured. Conclusion For vocational rehabilitation services to develop they require appropriate funding, driven by government policy to commissioners. Clear definitions of vocational rehabilitation, collecting and sharing outcome data and effective communication across services are needed at a local level. This is expressed in a conceptual model of vocational rehabilitation service delivery.

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Vocational rehabilitation services for people with multiple sclerosis: what patients want from clinicians and employers

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458507078414 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1183-1189 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

J. Sweetland ◽

A. Riazi ◽

S.J. Cano ◽

E.D. Playford

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Expert Knowledge ◽

Comparison Method ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service ◽

Need Support

Background The NSF for Long-term Neurological Conditions highlights the need for vocational rehabilitation services. Although the barriers to work for people with MS (pwMS) have been clearly identified, there has been little research that identifies the type of support required. Objective To identify what pwMS require from a vocational rehabilitation service in terms of content and service delivery. Design of study Four focus groups of pwMS, currently in employment, were convened. These were audio-taped and content analysed using a constant comparison method. Results People with MS identified two key needs; managing performance and managing expectations. Performance difficulties could be managed either by treating symptoms, by changing the environment, or by altering the demands of the job. PwMS highlighted the need for counselling to help them, and advocacy to help their employers have appropriate expectations. Conclusion PwMS need support in the workplace in two distinct ways. First, by managing the interaction between the impairments caused by MS, the physical environment, and the demands imposed by the work. Second, by providing expert knowledge about the employment environment and the needs of employers, an awareness of the relevant legislation and counselling in supporting people to adapt, adjust and resolve complex issues. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1183—1189. http://msj.sagepub.com

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A Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention Framework for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling ◽

10.1891/jarc-d-19-00012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 16-30

Author(s):

Phillip D. Rumrill ◽

David R. Strauser ◽

Chelsea Greco ◽

Mykal J. Leslie

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Career Development ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Well Being ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Intervention ◽

Age Related

This article presents the Illinois Work and Well-Being Model (IW2M) as a framework that can be applied to facilitate vocational rehabilitation interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The model encompasses the interaction of contextual and career development domains to improve participation in the areas of work, society, community, and home. A discussion of the model's implications regarding vocational rehabilitation service and research is offered, with the overall goal of reinforcing career development as the foundation of vocational rehabilitation services for people with RA and other emerging age-related disabling conditions.

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Creating Culturally Safe Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Indigenous Australians: A Brief Review of the Literature

Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling ◽

10.1017/jrc.2016.8 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 93-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vanette McLennan ◽

Natalie Taylor ◽

Amanda Rachow ◽

Grant South ◽

Kelsey Chapman

Keyword(s):

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Research Evidence ◽

Service Providers ◽

Cultural Safety ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Indigenous Australians ◽

Context Sensitive ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service

This article reviews the research evidence on vocational rehabilitation services and rehabilitation counselling practice with Indigenous Australians. It applied a context sensitive, cultural safety and reflexivity approach to construct salient themes from the research evidence. Findings suggest Indigenous Australians with disabilities experience significant ‘double-disadvantage’, and that vocational rehabilitation service providers lack the knowledge and skills in culturally safe practice in order to enhance the opportunities for social and economic inclusion of Indigenous Australians. A whole-of-profession approach, incorporating and ensuring Indigenous client equity and cultural safety in vocational rehabilitation, is critically and urgently needed.

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A new vocational rehabilitation service delivery model addressing long-term sickness absence

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022616648173 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 79 (11) ◽

pp. 677-681 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dianne M Sheppard ◽

Dorothy Frost

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Service Delivery Model ◽

Delivery Model ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service

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An expert opinion: Vocational rehabilitation after stroke

Advances in Clinical Neuroscience & Rehabilitation ◽

10.47795/oeap6518 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 13-15

Author(s):

Siobhan Leary ◽

◽

Joanne Hurford ◽

Niamh Shanahan ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Return To Work ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Expert Opinion ◽

Service Provision ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Rehabilitation Process ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Less than half of people return to work following a stroke. For those who do, their return is often complicated by residual 'invisible' symptoms. It is important to ask about work and to provide intervention early in the rehabilitation process. Specialist vocational rehabilitation services can support more complex and long-term interventions, but there is a paucity of service provision which needs to be addressed.

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Providing Culturally Relevant Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Cape Verdeans with Disabilities

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling ◽

10.1891/0047-2220.41.4.11 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 11-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dawna M. Thomas ◽

William Sanchez ◽

M. Joanne Maniche

Keyword(s):

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Culturally Relevant ◽

Service Providers ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service ◽

Provision Of Services ◽

Mainstream Service ◽

Cape Verdeans

Although Cape Verdeans have a long history in the U.S., members of this community with disabilities continue to be underserved and culturally misunderstood by vocational rehabilitation service providers. This article discusses how Cape Verdeans with disabilities and their families perceive the concept of disability and how that perception may differ from views held by mainstream service providers. The article also outlines some of the barriers to the provision of services and provides recommendations for enhancing culturally-relevant service delivery.

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Managed Care Administrators' Opinion of Vocational Reahbilitation Services

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling ◽

10.1891/0047-2220.27.1.42 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 42-44

Author(s):

Reginald L. Gibbs ◽

John M. Dodd ◽

Anton Hecimovic ◽

Elia Nickoloff

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Managed Care ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

The United States ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Short Term ◽

Managed Care Programs ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Managed Care Organizations

Rising health care insurance premiums have forced many businesses and institutions to examine cost-cutting measures to lower health care costs. Managed care is one measure that has become widespread throughout the United States. The problem was to learn how managed care administrators view the role and purpose of vocational rehabilitation services in their organizations and if these services will lower short-term and long-term use. A survey was sent to the administrators of fifty managed care organizations in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Twenty of the fifty administrators responded to the survey. Results show that only one of the managed care organizations offered vocational rehabilitation services to their enrollees. The results also show that three responded that short-term use and ten responded that long-term use of managed care programs would be reduced if vocational rehabilitation services were offered.

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The Role of Advocacy Groups in Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery to the Severely Disabled: A Comparison Between Multiple Sclerosis and Other Disorders

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/136140968800200103 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 13-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. E. Kallos ◽

L. Genevie ◽

E. L. Struening ◽

H. F. Andrews

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Advocacy Groups ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Service

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Vocationally Orientated Rehabilitation Service Requests: The Case of Employed Persons Experiencing a Spinal Cord Injury

Australian Journal of Career Development ◽

10.1177/103841620301200104 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Amanda E. Young ◽

Gregory C. Murphy

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Return To Work ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

Rehabilitation Services ◽

Post Injury ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Study Participants

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has a dramatic effect on the lives of those affected. As those injured are typically relatively young adults, the interruption to careers and vocational plans is often significant. While return to work following SCI has been well investigated, little is known about the process by which people regain employment post-injury. This investigation aimed to study participants' perceptions regarding the adequacy of the vocational rehabilitation services they received. Data was collected through personal interview with 168 persons with a SCI who were employed at the time of their injury. Participants were asked if they believed they could have been assisted by additional services provided with the aim of facilitating their return-to-work attempts. More than half of the participants believed they would have benefited from additional services. The most commonly requested additional services were: more discussion of vocational options and alternatives, and the timely follow-up of vocational issues. Analysis of subgroup differences indicated that rural-based study participants had clear and precise ideas for how vocational rehabilitation services might be improved.

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