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

Author(s):  
Kay Bridger ◽  
Blerina Kellezi ◽  
Denise Kendrick ◽  
Kate Radford ◽  
Stephen Timmons ◽  
...  

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.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Kerrin Watter ◽  
Areti Kennedy ◽  
Vanette McLennan ◽  
Jessica Vogler ◽  
Sarah Jeffery ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Athanasou

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bennie ◽  
Courtney C. Walton ◽  
Donna O’Connor ◽  
Lauren Fitzsimons ◽  
Thomas Hammond

Research about the Olympic Games has primarily focused on preparing athletes for competition. Less attention has been paid to the post-Olympic-phase (POP) and athlete well-being during this time. This study explored Australian Olympic athletes’ experiences following the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, including the factors that may have contributed to or challenged their well-being during this time. Eighteen athletes participated in semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis revealed that when Olympic performance appraisal met prior expectations, when athletes planned for a return to work or study, and when support from a variety of sources was readily available, this positively influenced athletes’ well-being during the POP. When these factors were not in place, more challenging post-Games experiences were present, and well-being was compromised. The findings contribute to the broader literature on elite athlete well-being and at an applied level, may be used to inform targeted programs that focus on supporting athletes after an Olympic campaign.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
K.S. Petersen ◽  
L.S. Anth Madsen ◽  
C.V. Nielsen ◽  
M. Labriola ◽  
C.M. Stapelfeldt

BACKGROUND: Validation studies have not been able to confirm the stage-specific understanding as operationalised in the readiness for return to work (RRTW) questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: To explore retrospectively how working female cancer survivors experienced the process of becoming ready to RTW during and beyond participation in an occupational rehabilitation intervention and thereby expand the understanding of the RRTW construct. METHODS: A qualitative research design was employed. Thirteen female cancer survivors were included for semi-structured interviews one to two years after they had completed active treatment and returned to work. The RRTW construct guided data generation and analysis. Content analysis was performed in four analytical steps that combined a concept-driven and a data-driven analytic strategy. RESULTS: Three themes were identified; “To have and then lose the safety net”, “Realise a changed life situation”, “Strive to balance work and everyday life”. In a time span of approximately one to two years (from receiving treatment, being enrolled in an intervention and to gradually returning to work); the identified themes were interdependent of each other as one theme gradually evolved to the next theme in the process of engaging in sustained work participation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study points towards continuous development of the RRTW construct and whether the addition of a preparedness dimension would improve validity.


Author(s):  
Liam Noll ◽  
Adrian Mallows ◽  
Jason Moran

Abstract Objective The aim was to explore firefighter’s experiences during their recovery from injury. Focused specifically on exploring perceived psychosocial barriers and facilitators firefighters faced during recovery and return to work. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to provide an in-depth understanding of the firefighter’s experiences. The semi-structured interviews were informed by a topic guide. The topic guide focused on five main themes, (1) overall experience of returning to operational duties following an injury, (2) perceived barriers experienced during their return to work, (3) perceived facilitators experienced during their return to work, (4) confidence in participating in physical activity following injury and (5) where they felt areas of improvement could be made with the return to work process. Thematic analysis of the data collected was undertaken using The Framework Method. Results Two main themes were sought after transcription: barriers and facilitators. From these, nine subthemes were identified (1) communication, (2) confidence in physical activity participation, (3) modified duties, (4) physiotherapy, (5) return to operational duties, (6) support, (7) inconsistency, (8) use of station gyms, (9) detachment from the watch. Conclusions Consideration should be made for the consistency of procedures followed during an individual’s return to work following an injury. Further research is needed to understand if the themes identified in this study are the same for other fire services. Further research is also needed to understand how the findings may be best implemented within the fire service.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-79
Author(s):  
Mehmet Özgen ◽  
Sule Erdem Tuzlukaya ◽  
Ceyhan Çigdemoglu

Recently, an increasing number of retired individuals decide to return to work and seek for post-retirement employment. Although research has already focused on individual and organizational based factors in retirement and post-retirement, the works are limited in some observable settings and well-known professions. The purpose of this study is to delve into the reasons for retirement and post-retirement employment and describe how human capital and social capital takes role in post-retirement employment. A qualitative approach was used with a descriptive phenomenological research design. Ten volunteer military retirees constitute the participants; in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Findings indicate that social and human capital heavily affect the retirement process, and trigger the return to work. The higher the hierarchy of the military staff, the more the social factors are motivating them to post-retirement employment, contrarily. For lower hierarchy, financial issues are more dominant for returning to work. Additionally, the effect of social capital on the post-retirement employment varies according to individual differences such as dependents, beliefs, and passions. The study contributes to theoretical discussions related to retirement and post-retirement employment reasons that can be linked to existing explanations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Cheyney ◽  
Margaret Henning ◽  
Holly Horan ◽  
Marit L. Bovbjerg ◽  
Maryanne Ferguson

IntroductionMaintaining lactation after returning to work is imperative for overall breastfeeding success, yet mothers who return to full-time employment outside the home are unlikely to meet their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding-friendly worksites are one potential solution.MethodUsing semi-structured interviews with employees in one rural New England town (N = 18), we aimed to better understand the barriers and supports to continued lactation at “breastfeeding-friendly” worksites.ResultsFive key themes emerged from participants' narratives; two built environment-focused themes are discussed here.DiscussionFindings expose the disproportionate burden placed on women when care- and wage-work are combined, even in worksites at least theoretically committed to supporting lactation following a return to work.


Author(s):  
Elin A. Karlsson ◽  
Jan L. Sandqvist ◽  
Ida Seing ◽  
Christian Ståhl

AbstractPurpose Activation policies and efforts to reduce sick leave rates has influenced sickness insurance systems in Western countries, which has led to social security being more connected with work and attempts to expose malingering among the sickness absent. The aim of this study was to explore how power and trust are expressed by clients and stakeholders within the Swedish sickness insurance system. Methods This was a longitudinal qualitative study based on semi structured interviews and case files from 31 clients on sick leave in Sweden. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results The main theme ‘Acts of power and distrust’ illustrates how stakeholders’ express suspicions towards each other, and how clients need to demonstrate desire and efforts to return to work which other stakeholders verified. Conclusions The clients desire to prove themselves able to contribute to society was prominent in this study and power relations need to be acknowledged, in particular between client and the SIA. Further, to preserve citizens trust in the system, the system needs to demonstrate trust also in the clients.


Author(s):  
Jade Kettlewell ◽  
Rebecca Lindley ◽  
Kate Radford ◽  
Priya Patel ◽  
Kay Bridger ◽  
...  

Background: Returning to work after traumatic injury can be problematic. We developed a vocational telerehabilitation (VR) intervention for trauma survivors, delivered by trained occupational therapists (OTs) and clinical psychologists (CPs), and explored factors affecting delivery and acceptability in a feasibility study. Methods: Surveys pre- (5 OTs, 2 CPs) and post-training (3 OTs, 1 CP); interviews pre- (5 OTs, 2 CPs) and post-intervention (4 trauma survivors, 4 OTs, 2 CPs). Mean survey scores for 14 theoretical domains identified telerehabilitation barriers (score ≤ 3.5) and facilitators (score ≥ 5). Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: Surveys: pre-training, the only barrier was therapists’ intentions to use telerehabilitation (mean = 3.40 ± 0.23), post-training, 13/14 domains were facilitators. Interviews: barriers/facilitators included environmental context/resources (e.g., technology, patient engagement, privacy/disruptions, travel and access); beliefs about capabilities (e.g., building rapport, complex assessments, knowledge/confidence, third-party feedback and communication style); optimism (e.g., impossible assessments, novel working methods, perceived importance and patient/therapist reluctance) and social/professional role/identity (e.g., therapeutic methods). Training and experience of intervention delivery addressed some barriers and increased facilitators. The intervention was acceptable to trauma survivors and therapists. Conclusion: Despite training and experience in intervention delivery, some barriers remained. Providing some face-to-face delivery where necessary may address certain barriers, but strategies are required to address other barriers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonia Crawford ◽  
Peter Roger ◽  
Sally Candlin

Effective communication skills are important in the health care setting in order to develop rapport and trust with patients, provide reassurance, assess patients effectively and provide education in a way that patients easily understand (Candlin and Candlin, 2003). However with many nurses from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds being recruited to fill the workforce shortfall in Australia, communication across cultures with the potential for miscommunication and ensuing risks to patient safety has gained increasing focus in recent years (Shakya and Horsefall, 2000; Chiang and Crickmore, 2009). This paper reports on the first phase of a study that examines intercultural nurse patient communication from the perspective of four Registered Nurses from CALD backgrounds working in Australia. Five interrelating themes that were derived from thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews are discussed. The central theme of ‘adjustment’ was identified as fundamental to the experiences of the RNs and this theme interrelated with each of the other themes that emerged: professional experiences with communication, ways of showing respect, displaying empathy, and vulnerability.


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