Vocational interventions and supports following job placement for persons with traumatic brain injury
Authors: | Hedrick, B., Louise-Bender Pape, T., Heinemann, A. W., Ruddell, J. L., & Reis, J. |
---|---|
Year Published | 2010 |
Publication | Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation |
Volume | 32 |
Number | 3 |
Pages | 135-150 |
Publisher | Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation |
Background |
Several treatment models have focused on assisting individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with employment. However, there is no standard way to define and measure the vocational treatment provided after job placement and their impact on individual outcomes. There is much variation among centers from no services to comprehensive services. Research to establish the efficacy of vocational services, should help more individuals with TBI find and maintain employment. |
Purpose |
A primary objective of the study was to create a "real time" (ie. time of service delivery), measure of the types and amounts of interventions provided to individuals with TBI after job placement. |
Setting |
Five geographically dispersed Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Sites. |
Sample |
Sixty five individuals with TBI were recruited from 5 geographically dispersed Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Sites. The majority were males 87%. The average age at time of injury was 36 years. The etiology of injury was vehicular (63%), followed by falls (19%), gunshot or assault (9%) and sports related (9%). The majority or 87% of the participants were white and 65% had at least some college education. |
Data Collection |
Job coaches and other clinical staff who provided services following the job placement of each participant recorded interventions that lasted one minute or more on treatment data forms as near to the day of service provision as possible. |
Control |
There were no control or comparison conditions. |
Findings |
Related to question one about the patterns of vocational treatment across TBIMS sites the findings suggested substantial differences among the 5 TBIMS in the amount, types and location of services provided after job placement. |
Conclusions |
The researchers found that there was a large degree of variation in the amount and types of interventions provided to study participants and in the locations where treatments were given, across the five TBIMS. Centers either provided intensive treatment that included services on the job or less intensive treatment provided in a clinical setting supplemented by follow up phone contacts. The disparity in treatment components across clinical sites suggest that interventions such as job coaching and case management can not be assumed available to individuals referred for vocational services. |
URL | http://www.worksupport.com/documents/jvr_vocational_interventions_supports.pdf |
Disabilities | Traumatic brain injury (TBI) |
Populations | Male & Female | White / Caucasian |
Outcomes | Return to work |
NIDILRR Funded | Yes |
Research Design | Observational |
Peer Reviewed | Yes |