Occupational categories and return to work after traumatic brain injury: A multicenter study | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Wallace, C. J., & Tauber, R.
Year Published	2006
Publication	Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume	87
Number	12
Pages	1576-1582
Publisher	Elsevier
Background	A number of researchers have indicated that postinjury return to work rates are a function of pre-injury job classifications. However, these and other job category studies have conflicting findings, differing methodology and small sample sizes. This makes it difficult to determine if this is a significant and unique predictor that impacts return to work rates. Due to poor post injury employment rates for individuals with TBI knowing the relation between pre-injury occupational category and return to work could improve employment outcomes.
Purpose	The purpose of the study was to find out if pre-employment occupation was a significant and unique predictor of return to work for individuals with TBI.
Setting	The setting was 17 NIDILRR funded TBI Model Systems Projects (TBIMS) located across the United States.
Sample	The sample size was 1,341 individuals with TBI who had data in the TBIMS national database including one year follow up data. The majority of the sample were males (77%) and white (69%). Most had sustained an injury that would be considered moderate to severe.
Data Collection	Data was collected at TBIMS rehabilitation centers that include a wide array of services. Hospital records and admission and discharge FIM instrument used to evaluate level of independence were used to collect medical information. Annual telephone interviews were attempted to collect follow up information at month 10 and 14 post-injury. If this was not successful, a questionnaire via mail and/or an interview with significant other was completed.
Control	There was no control or comparison condition.
Findings	Individuals who held professional and managerial jobs were more likely to be working during the one year follow up. Approximately, 33% of those who had worked in manual labor jobs were working at follow up with a slightly improved rate among those in skilled labor positions.Severity of injury was not predictive. However, the following variables: preinjury job category, education level, hospital LOS and discharge FIM total score were predictors. Additional analysis, clearly supported that job category predicts return to work outcomes beyond using educational level obtained prior to injury alone.
Conclusions	Preinjury occupational factors influence return to work post injury for individuals with TBI. Given that individuals, who were worked as manual laborers prior to injury had the poorest return to work rate, this group may have a greater need for vocational services. More research is needed to better understand return to work rates and evaluate possible strategies to improve employment outcomes.
URL	http://www.msktc.org/publications/detail/1732
Disabilities	Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Populations	Male
Outcomes	Return to work
NIDILRR Funded	Yes
Research Design	Single group, Quasi-experimental
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2006

Publication

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume

87

Number

12

Pages

1576-1582

Publisher

Elsevier

Background

A number of researchers have indicated that postinjury return to work rates are a function of pre-injury job classifications. However, these and other job category studies have conflicting findings, differing methodology and small sample sizes. This makes it difficult to determine if this is a significant and unique predictor that impacts return to work rates. Due to poor post injury employment rates for individuals with TBI knowing the relation between pre-injury occupational category and return to work could improve employment outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to find out if pre-employment occupation was a significant and unique predictor of return to work for individuals with TBI.

Setting

The setting was 17 NIDILRR funded TBI Model Systems Projects (TBIMS) located across the United States.

Sample

The sample size was 1,341 individuals with TBI who had data in the TBIMS national database including one year follow up data. The majority of the sample were males (77%) and white (69%). Most had sustained an injury that would be considered moderate to severe.

Data Collection

Data was collected at TBIMS rehabilitation centers that include a wide array of services. Hospital records and admission and discharge FIM instrument used to evaluate level of independence were used to collect medical information. Annual telephone interviews were attempted to collect follow up information at month 10 and 14 post-injury. If this was not successful, a questionnaire via mail and/or an interview with significant other was completed.

Control

There was no control or comparison condition.

Findings

Individuals who held professional and managerial jobs were more likely to be working during the one year follow up. Approximately, 33% of those who had worked in manual labor jobs were working at follow up with a slightly improved rate among those in skilled labor positions.Severity of injury was not predictive. However, the following variables: preinjury job category, education level, hospital LOS and discharge FIM total score were predictors. Additional analysis, clearly supported that job category predicts return to work outcomes beyond using educational level obtained prior to injury alone.

Conclusions

Preinjury occupational factors influence return to work post injury for individuals with TBI. Given that individuals, who were worked as manual laborers prior to injury had the poorest return to work rate, this group may have a greater need for vocational services. More research is needed to better understand return to work rates and evaluate possible strategies to improve employment outcomes.

URL

http://www.msktc.org/publications/detail/1732

Disabilities

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Populations

Male

Outcomes

Return to work

NIDILRR Funded

Yes

Research Design

Single group, Quasi-experimental

Peer Reviewed

Yes